Sports
U.S. Olympic committee issues ruling on transgender women in sports


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has effectively barred transgender women from competing in women’s sports, telling the federations overseeing swimming, athletics and other sports it has an “obligation to comply” with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.
The new policy, announced Monday with a quiet change on the USOPC’s website and confirmed in a letter sent to national sport governing bodies, follows a similar step taken by the NCAA earlier this year.
The USOPC change is noted obliquely as a detail under “USOPC Athlete Safety Policy” and references Trump’s executive order, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” signed in February. That order, among other things, threatens to “rescind all funds” from organizations that allow transgender athlete participation in women’s sports.
U.S. Olympic officials told the national governing bodies they will need to follow suit, adding that “the USOPC has engaged in a series of respectful and constructive conversations with federal officials” since Trump signed the order.
“As a federally chartered organization, we have an obligation to comply with federal expectations,” USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland and President Gene Sykes wrote in a letter. “Our revised policy emphasizes the importance of ensuring fair and safe competition environments for women. All National Governing Bodies are required to update their applicable policies in alignment.”
The National Women’s Law Center put out a statement condemning the move.
“By giving into the political demands, the USOPC is sacrificing the needs and safety of its own athletes,” said that organization’s president and CEO, Fatima Goss Graves.
The USOPC oversees around 50 national governing bodies, most of which play a role in everything from the grassroots to elite levels of their sports. That raises the possibility that rules might need to be changed at local sports clubs to retain their memberships in the NGBs.
Some of those organizations — for instance, USA Track and Field — have long followed guidelines set by their own world federation. World Athletics is considering changes to its policies that would mostly fall in line with Trump’s order.
A USA Swimming spokesman said the federation had been made aware of the USOPC’s change and was consulting with the committee to figure out what changes it needs to make. USA Fencing changed its policy effective Aug. 1 to allow only “athletes who are of the female sex” in women’s competition and opening men’s events to “all athletes not eligible for the women’s category, including transgender women, transgender men, non-binary and intersex athletes and cisgender male athletes.”
The nationwide battle over transgender girls on girls’ and women’s sports teams has played out at both the state and federal levels as Republicans portray the issue as a fight for athletic fairness. More than two dozen states have enacted laws barring transgender women and girls from participating in certain sports competitions. Some policies have been blocked in court by those who say the policies are discriminatory, cruel and unnecessarily target a tiny niche of athletes.
The NCAA changed its participation policy for transgender athletes to limit competition in women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth. That change came a day after Trump signed the executive order intended to ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports.
Female eligibility is a key issue for the International Olympic Committee under its new president, Kirsty Coventry, who has signaled an effort to “protect the female category.” The IOC has allowed individual sports federations to set their own rules at the Olympics — and some have already taken steps on the topic.
Stricter rules on transgender athletes — barring from women’s events anyone who went through male puberty — have been passed by swimming, cycling and track and field. Soccer is reviewing its eligibility rules for women and could set limits on testosterone.
Trump has said he wants the IOC to change everything “having to do with this absolutely ridiculous subject.” Los Angeles will host the Summer Games in 2028.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Sports
EIU Hosts Former OVC Rival On Wednesday
Wednesday, December 10 • 7 pm
Charleston, Ill. • Groniger Arena
GAME INFO
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: EKU leads 28-18
LAST MEETING: EIU 81, EIU 66 on Dec. 14, 2024 at Berea College (Ky.)
NOTES: EIU Complete Game Notes
GAME 9
Eastern Illinois plays its second straight home game as the Panthers will have four of five contests at Groniger Arena in the month of December. The Panthers host former Ohio Valley Conference rival Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday night. EIU lost its OVC opener on Saturday against Lindenwood falling to 2-6 on the season with three straight losses. It was EIU’s first loss at home this season and snapped a four game home win streak. Eastern Kentucky snapped its seven game losing skid at home over the weekend with a big win over IU East to move the Colonels to 2-7 on the season.
JACOBI WITH A DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Graduate student Kooper Jacobi posted his first double-double of the season on Saturday with 20 points and 10 rebounds against Lindenwood. Jacobi led the OVC in both rebounding (8.9 rpg) and double-doubles (9) last year and had just missed adding to his career total in two other games this season. The double-double against Lindenwood was the 12th of his EIU career as he continues to inch his way towards 500 career rebounds at EIU (453 at EIU … 8.1 rpg for EIU career / 538 college career).
OLAFIOYE WITH A CAREER HIGH
Last season Malik Olafioye scored in double figures in two games cracking the double figure mark for the first time with ten points in the OVC opener at Southeast Missouri and posting a season high 11 points in a win over Blackburn. In this year’s OVC opener with Lindenwood, Olafioye again opened conference play with double figure scoring as he finished with a career high 14 points going 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from the line. His previous high this season was nine points in the opener at Valparaiso.
PANTHERS GOOD IN THE FIRST HALF
Eastern Illinois opened the first half of OVC play on Saturday connecting for the Panthers best 20 minutes of the season as they shot 54.8 percent from the floor to take a 41-34 lead into the break. It was the fourth time this season EIU has shot 50 percent or better in a half with 51.7 percent at home against Tiffin in the first half and second half efforts at Central Arkansas and at Purdue. On the season EIU is shooting 41.0 percent from the field (10th in the OVC) while averaging 62.1 points per game (11th in the OVC).
UP NEXT
Sunday – December 14, 2025 at #4 Iowa State (12 pm on ESPN+)
Sports
NIU Women’s Golf Signs One for 2026-27 Season
Women’s Golf | December 8
DeKALB, Ill.—Northern Illinois University women’s golf coach Kim Kester has announced the signing of Nethra Sheri for the upcoming season.
Sheri comes to the Huskies women’s golf program after competing for Coppell High School in Irving, Texas. With the Cowboys, Sheri was a member of the team that claimed the 2025 6A State Championship, placed third at the 2024 6A State tournament, and claimed District championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Sheri also tied for first place at District championships and took third at Regionals.
Sheri has made her mark on the junior golf tour, competing with the Texas Junior Golf Team, All-American Tour, and American Junior Golf Tour. With the Texas Junior team, Sheri has claimed two victories and six top-5 finishes. Sheri added four top-15 finishes with the American Junior Golf tour, and two wins with the All-American tour. Additionally, Sheri was the Women’s Southern Amateur Quarterfinalist in 2025.
“We are excited to welcome Nethra to the NIU golf family,” noted Kester. “She brings a lot of tournament experience to NIU. She has had a great junior career. We are excited to see what she can do academically and athletically.”
The 2025-26 NIU women’s golf team returns to action on January 25-27 as they compete at the UCF Challenge in Orlando, Florida.
Want to stay in the know with NIU Women’s Golf? Follow the team on Facebook (Northern Illinois University Women’s Golf), X/Twitter (@NIUWomensGolf), and on Instagram (@niuwomensgolf).
Sports
Watch Nebraska volleyball vs Kansas: TV channel, time, streaming
Dec. 9, 2025, 5:15 a.m. CT
The Nebraska volleyball team enters the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament after sweeping Kansas State last Saturday. The Huskers now face the Kansas Jayhawks, who defeated Miami in four sets.
Nebraska’s offense ranks first nationally with a .352 hitting percentage. The defense is equally impressive, ranking first nationally in opponent hitting percentage at .125.
Junior Harper Murray leads the team with 3.55 kills and 2.15 digs per set and a team high 30 aces. Setter Bergen Reilly runs the offense at an elite level with an average of 10.31 assists and 2.73 digs per set. Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.75 kills per set on .467 hitting with 1.13 blocks per set.
Kansas is in the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in school history and the first time since 2021. Rhian Swanson averages 3.09 kills per set. Setter Katie Dalton averages 8.88 assists per set and was named All-Big 12 Second Team.
Nebraska is 63-5 against Kansas. The Jayhawks have lost the last 57 matches in the series.
Watch Nebraska volleyball vs Kansas live on ESPN+Here’s how to watch Nebraska-Kansas volleyball on Friday, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:
What channel is Nebraska volleyball vs. Kansas on?
TV Channel: ESPN2
Livestream:ESPN+ (subscriber only)
Nebraska-Kansas volleyball in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament can be seen on ESPN2. Huskers Radio Network will have audio coverage of all Nebraska matches on Huskers Radio Network affiliates, Huskers.com and the Huskers app. John Baylor and Lauren Cook West will be on the call. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+.
Nebraska volleyball vs. Kansas time today
- Date: Friday, Dec. 12
- Start time: 30 minutes after the Texas A&M-Louisville match at 6 p.m. CT
The NCAA regional contest between Nebraska and Kansas starts 30 minutes following the conclusion of the Texas A&M-Louisville match, which begins at 6 p.m. CT from the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Nebraska volleyball 2025 schedule (30-0, 20-0)
Aug. 22 – vs. Pittsburgh – WIN 3-1 (25-22, 25-11, 20-25, 25-23)
Aug. 24 – vs. Stanford – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-14)
Aug. 29 – at Lipscomb – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-15)
Aug. 31 – vs Kentucky – WIN 3-2 (24-26, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-8)
Sept. 5 – vs. Wright State – WIN 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-20)
Sept. 7 – vs. California – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-12)
Sept. 12 – vs. Utah – WIN 3-1 (21-25, 25-8, 25-18, 25-13)
Sept. 13 – vs. Grand Canyon – WIN 3-0 (25-12, 25-23, 25-18)
Sept. 16 – at Creighton – WIN 3-2 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 24-26, 15-9)
Sept. 20 – vs. Arizona – WIN 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-18)
Sept. 24 – vs. Michigan – WIN 3-0 (25-6, 25-15, 25-13)
Sept. 27 – vs. Maryland – WIN 3-0 (25-14, 27-25, 25-14)
Oct. 3 – at Penn State – WIN 3-0 (25-6, 25-15, 25-13)
Oct. 4 – at Rutgers – WIN 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-16)
Oct. 10 – vs. Washington – WIN 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-16)
Oct. 12 – at Purdue – WIN 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-15)
Oct. 17 – at Michigan State – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-20)
Oct. 19 – at Michigan – WIN 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-18)
Oct. 24 – vs. Northwestern – WIN 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-17)
Oct. 25 – vs. Michigan State – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-18)
Oct. 31 – at Wisconsin – WIN 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-13)
Nov. 2 – vs. Oregon – WIN 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-12)
Nov. 6 – vs. Illinois – WIN 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-14)
Nov. 8 – at Minnesota – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-20)
Nov. 14 – at UCLA – WIN 3-1 (25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 25-15)
Nov. 16 – at USC – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-20)
Nov. 20 – vs. Iowa – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-18)
Nov. 22 – at Indiana – WIN 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-22)
Nov. 28 – vs. Penn State – WIN 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-14)
Nov. 29 – vs. Ohio State – WIN 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-20)
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Sports
Liberty League Performers of the Week for December 8
Men’s Basketball Performer of the Week – Evan Cabral
Evan Cabral had a monster week for Ithaca as he averaged 26.7 points on 33-of-49 shooting for the floor, to go along with 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.3 assists per game. Cabral started the week with a career-high 31 points in a loss to Rochester as he went 12-for-23 shooting with seven rebounds and four steals. He then shot 12-for-16 for 27 points with eight boards and four steals at Vassar. Cabral concluded the week with 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting in a win at Skidmore.
Women’s Track & Field – Field Performer of the Week – Rachel Larson
Rachel Larson was a fourth place finisher with a time of 8.58 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles to open the 2025-26 season at Cornell’s Greg Page Relays. That time is currently No. 1 in Division III after the opening weekend of the season.
Women’s Swimming & Diving – Swimmer of the Week – Elizabeth Bodie
Sophomore Elizabeth Bodie had an impressive three day Bomber Invitational in which Ithaca totaled 2,307 points to outpace Rochester (2,037.5) and Smith College (1,135). Bodie won the 100-yard butterfly (56.54) added a runner-up in the 200 fly (2:08.15) and was third in the 100-yard backstroke (58.68) in an IC 1-2-3 finish. She also contributed to Ithaca’s 800-yard freestyle relay winning team that produced a finals time of 7:49.41.
Women’s Track & Field Rookie of the Week – Lola Gitlin
Lola Gitlin posted a time of 10:25.57 in the 3000-meter run to finish third overall in her first collegiate track race at the Cornell Greg Page Relays.
HONOR ROLL
Junior guard Tori Drevna had another steady week for the Bombers averaging 14.0 points per game across three appearances. Drevna connected on 3-of-4 and 2-of-3 from downtown against Rochester and Vassar, as she tallied 17 points along with seven boards and six assists in the loss to the ‘Jackets. She also nearly tallied her first double-double of the season in the 69-54 win over Skidmore with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Senior diver Kian Long was able to earn valuable team points for Ithaca as they nearly doubled the score of second-place University of Rochester across the three day Bomber Invitational. Long began his weekend winning on the 3-meter as he was second going into the evenings finals before outpacing Hobart’s Daniel Barrientos with a finals score of 513.95, compared to Barrientos who put together a 504.90. The senior diver followed it up with nearly a 50 point win on the 1-meter boards as he put together a finals score of 482.25, which bested Alfred University’s Jaxson McQuaid (436.00).
Graduate freestyler Matthew Mitros was impressive across Ithaca three day Bomber Invitational in which they won over the University of Rochester and five other schools. Mitros captured the 50 free (20.26, NCAA B‑cut) and powered Ithaca’s winning 200 free (1:22.48) and 400 medley relays (3:21.88) on opening night, then helping the Bombers take Friday’s 200 medley relay to cap a three‑relay sweep. He also scored a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly (50.05).
Lily Seyfert claimed fifth in the shot put with a heave of 12.78 meters, which is currently ninth in the nation, to begin the season at the Cornell Greg Page Relays.
Sports
Sheehan, Parker, Jones and Munson Among the NJAC Athlete of the Week Winners
PITMAN, NJ – Rowan’s Braden Sheehan of the men’s swim team and Anthony Parker, Nyla Jones, and Naa’ilah Munson of the track & field teams were among the student-athletes honored by the NJAC with its weekly honors in those sports.
Sheehan was named the Men’s Swimmer of the Week as he won two events in Rowan’s 101.5-84.5 win over Swarthmore. The junior took first in the 100 free (46.92) and the 100 IM (51.55), while also clocking a split of 22.54 in the 200 mixed medley relay where the Profs finished second (1:38.98).
Rowan’s track and field teams got the new year underway at the Fastrack Season Opener. Parker was named the NJAC as claimed the long jump in his collegiate debut with a leap of 7.08 meters, which was the #13 mark in Division III.
Jones was picked as the Women’s Track Athlete of the Week as she clocked a 40.69 in the 300 meters, which is the 11th all-time best in Division III and current tops in the NJAC. The sophomore also was second in 60 hurdles with top conference time (8.93).
Munson was named the Women’s Track Rookie of the Week as she made her collegiate debut, posting the top NJAC mark in the triple jump. The freshman reached 11.16 meters to place fourth in the meet at Ocean Breeze.
Rowan’s men’s and women’s swim teams and the men’s and women’s track and field teams will return to competition in January.
Sports
Indoor season opens for Track & Field at annual Mel Tjeerdsma Classic
MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Indoor season got underway over the weekend as Benedictine Track & Field competed in the annual Mel Tjeerdsma Classic hosted by Northwest Missouri State University.
The meet hosted 18 programs, including fellow Heart schools Baker, MNU and Park.
Women’s Results:
Ayn Olsen, fifth place, 300 meters
Aileen Ambuul, seventh place, 300 meters
Maria Connealy, sixth place, high jump
Haley Protz, sixth place, pole vault
Evelyn Brandt, eighth place, pole vault
Madison Helton, fifth place, long jump; fifth place, triple jump
Elizabeth Geist, eighth place, shot put
Mary Logan, sixth place, weight throw
Men’s Results:
Will Bensen, eighth place, 400 meters
John Philip Butler, eighth place, 600 yards
4×400 meter relay (Will Benson, John Philip Butler, Owen Dulac, Cole McGrath), eighth place
Kevin Taylor, third place, pole vault
Christopher Coyne, fourth place, pole vault
The indoor season continues on Dec. 12 with a trip to Seward, Neb., for the Bulldog Early Bird hosted by Concorida University.
www.ravenathletics.com | #UnleashGreatness | www.benedictine.edu
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