[Philadelphia, PA] — [03/26/2026] — Athletes for Action today welcomed the International Olympic Committee’s announcement of a new policy aimed at protecting the women’s category in Olympic sport, calling it a meaningful step toward restoring fairness in competition.
“The IOC’s decision reflects a growing recognition that protecting the integrity of women’s sports matters,” said Liz Harris, Co-Founder of Athletes for Action. “It is an important step forward and a sign that momentum is building in the right direction.”
While the policy marks progress at the international level, Athletes for Action emphasized that the issue remains unresolved in communities across the United States.
A recent report found that as many as 61 male students may be competing in girls’ sports in a single Colorado school district, underscoring the continued challenges facing female athletes at the school level.
“What we are seeing at the Olympic level is encouraging, but it does not yet reflect the reality for many girls across the country,” said Meg Burke, Co-Founder of Athletes for Action. “In too many schools, fairness is still an open question, and families are being left to navigate it on their own.”
Athletes for Action is focused on supporting female athletes, families, and local communities by providing resources, education, and advocacy tools to ensure fairness in school sports programs.
“This is where the work must continue,” said Paula Scanlan, Co-Founder of Athletes for Action. “If these protections are not reinforced at the local level, they can be weakened or reversed. Sustained engagement is the only way to ensure that progress is lasting.”
Athletes for Action will continue to work with athletes, parents, and community leaders to advance policies and practices that protect opportunities for women and girls in sports.
For more information, visit athletesforaction.com
