Sen. Blackburn urges NCAA to require only ‘biologically female students’ compete in women’s sports

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EXCLUSIVESen. Marsha Blackburn, D-Tenn., called on NCAA President Charlie Baker to make changes to the organization’s rule book when it comes to fairness in women’s sports.

Blackburn’s letter, obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital, called on the NCAA to “update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women’s sports.”

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Marsha Blackburn 2024

Sen. Marsha Blackburn is calling on NCAA President Charlie Baker to make changes to the organization’s rulebook when it comes to fairness in women’s sports. (Shannon Phinney/Getty Images for the RIAA)

The GOP lawmaker wrote that the NCAA has not done enough to protect female athletes despite boasting collegiate stars at the Paris Olympics. Blackburn pointed to scientific studies showing that “men have an inherent athletic advantage over women due to their anatomy and biology.”

“While men may have an innate athletic advantage, they have no advantage over women in terms of their level of passion, drive or desire to compete,” Blackburn’s letter said. “At the heart of sport is the demonstration of excellence, grace under pressure and a commitment to fair play between competitors, all of which are compromised in the absence of a level playing field.

“Women deserve even that playing field and the opportunity to compete, which can only be achieved by ensuring that only women compete in women’s sports. We urge you to follow the example of the NAIA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport and adopt policies that protect women’s sports.”

Marsha Blackburn at the RNC

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Republican of Tennessee, speaks during the Republican National Convention on July 15, 2024. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

RILEY GENS.

Blackburn’s letter was endorsed by many senators, including Tommy Tuberville, Kathy Britt, Joni Ernst, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Cynthia Lummis, James Lankford, John Thune, James Risch, Steve Daines, Roger Wicker, Kevin Cramer, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, , Ted Budd, Marco Rubio, Mike Crapo, Mike Brown, Bill Cassidy, Tom Tillis, Roger Marshall and Rick Scott.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) banned transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports in April.

Blackburn’s letter comes after the Biden administration’s rewrite of Title IX went into effect in some states, which says sex discrimination includes discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

The revision also does not prohibit schools from banning transgender athletes who compete against biological females.

The NCAA’s latest round of updating its transgender inclusion policy went into effect last August.

NCAA Swimming Championships

Sen. Marsha Blackburn is calling on NCAA President Charlie Baker to make changes to the organization’s rulebook when it comes to fairness in women’s sports. (Joe Robbins/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

“… To participate in NCAA sports, transgender student-athletes must submit documentation that meets the sport’s specific standard, which is submitted twice a year (once at the start of the season and the following six months) within a year,” states the policy, which has started. August 1, 2023: “This process will continue annually for eligible student-athletes.”

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“To compete in NCAA championships, transgender athletes must submit additional documentation of testosterone levels to CSMAS with lab work completed within four weeks of qualifying for championships.”

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