Latest news with #WomensSports
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Transgender athletes: US Olympics quietly makes major policy shift
Transgender women will no longer be eligible to compete for the United States in the Olympic or Paralympic Games in women's categories, after a recent policy change from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). The committee cited President Donald Trump's February executive order, titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," which mandates immediate enforcement, including against schools and athletic associations that "deny women single-sex sports and single-sex locker rooms," according to the document, and directs state attorneys general to identify best practices for enforcing the mandate. In a memo to the Team USA community on Tuesday, obtained by ABC News, USOPC President Gene Sykes and CEO Sarah Hirshland referenced Trump's executive order and said, "As a federally chartered organization, we have an obligation to comply with federal expectations." MORE: USA Fencing disqualifies athlete for refusing to compete against transgender woman The USOPC is responsible for supporting, entering and overseeing U.S. teams in the Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as sporting events for all ages, from youth to masters' competitions. In an update to its athlete safety policy, without using the word transgender by name, the USOPC said its revised policy "emphasizes the importance of ensuring fair and safe competition environments for women." "The USOPC is committed to protecting opportunities for athletes participating in sport. The USOPC will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders with oversight responsibilities, e.g., IOC, IPC, NGBs, to ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act," the revised policy says on the USOPC website. The Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act establishes a process for handling eligibility disputes for each Olympic sport and participation in amateur athletic competitions. It was sponsored by Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens and adopted in 1998. MORE: Transgender references removed from Stonewall National Monument website The revised USOPC policy also doesn't outline how the ban will work, and if the same ruling applies to men's sports. ABC News has reached out to the USOPC for clarification and did not immediately hear back. Following the revised policy, USA Fencing updated its gender eligibility guidelines, which will take effect on Aug. 1. Transgender women, nonbinary athletes, transgender men and intersex athletes will compete exclusively in men's competitions, according to the policy.
Zawya
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Orange supports the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations and affirms its commitment to inclusion and the visibility of women in African football
As an official partner of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Orange Africa and Middle East (OMEA) ( reaffirms its commitment to a more inclusive, equitable, and connected African football through its celebration of the TotalEnergies 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, taking place from July 5 to 26 in Morocco. Women's football is experiencing remarkable growth in Africa, with over 83 million viewers during the last edition of the competition. This year, the Women's Africa Cup of Nations held in five cities across Morocco marks a new milestone in the visibility of women's football in Africa. Among the 12 participating countries, six from the Orange network have qualified and are represented this year (Morocco, Mali, Senegal, Tunisia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Botswana), demonstrating the increasing momentum of women's football that the company actively supports. Since 2018, Orange has implemented the 50/50 rule in its sports sponsorship actions to ensure equal representation between men's and women's disciplines. This principle is reflected on the ground through support for women's national teams, as well as local initiatives such as training young girls in clubs, working with high-profile ambassadors such Fatima Tagnaout, a Moroccan international footballer, and creating content that celebrates women's careers in sport. To promote the sport and further enhance the visibility of women in football, Orange Morocco also launched the "Broadcast Cafés" initiative, equipping cafés across the country to broadcast the WAFCON and encourage social engagement around the tournament. Indeed, according to a recent study*, 80% of Moroccans have watched women's football on television, but 31% face difficulties finding ways to watch the matches. A historic partner of the CAF since 2008, Orange renewed its commitment to the development of African football in December 2023, notably through its initiatives during major CAF competitions. Beyond its technical expertise and contributions to connectivity, Orange also implements various actions aimed at promoting gender equality and inclusion. This partnership strengthens Orange's strategy, which leverages sport to encourage equality, support digital education for youth, and ensure reliable connectivity across Africa. To enhance the visibility of the Group's commitment during this tournament, several media campaigns have been produced. A pan-African campaign ( will be broadcast across all participating Orange countries, while another will be aired locally in Morocco ( Yasser Shaker, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, said: "Being a partner of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations is much more than a sports commitment: in its role as a responsible operator in Africa, it is a way to support countries in positive societal dynamics. Sport, and in particular women's football, is a powerful lever for national pride, inclusion and freedom." Caroline Guillaumin, Executive Vice President of Communications at Orange, said: "This partnership is built to send out a strong signal demonstrating a concrete commitment to greater equity in sport. The 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations is an opportunity to highlight the careers of inspiring women, both on and off the field, and to amplify their voices through our content and local initiatives." * Orange/ Two Circles, 'Harnessing the power of women's football' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa. Press contacts: Tom Wright Stella Fumey Follow us on: Twitter: @ orangegrouppr ( About Orange: Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 40.3 billion euros in 2024 and 127,000 employees worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 71,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 291 million customers worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 253 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. These figures account for the deconsolidation of certain activities in Spain following the creation of MASORANGE. The Group is present in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries). Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality. Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA). For more information on the internet and on your mobile: and the Orange News app. Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited. About Orange Africa and the Middle East (OMEA): Orange is present in 18 countries across Africa and the Middle East, serving over 161 million customers as of 31 December 2024. With a revenue of 7.7 billion euros in 2024, Orange MEA is the Group's leading growth region. Orange Money, its money transfer and financial services offer, is available in 17 countries and has more than 100 million customers. As a multi-service operator and a key partner in digital transformation, Orange brings its expertise to support the development of new digital services in Africa and the Middle East.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
US flag football star Ashlea Klam and Houston Texans push for recognition of sport for Texas girls
This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she looks down the field at the start of a play at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she holds the football up while playing against Mexico's women's team at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she holds the football up while playing against Mexico's women's team at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she looks down the field at the start of a play at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she holds the football up while playing against Mexico's women's team at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) HOUSTON (AP) — When U.S. Women's Flag National Team member Ashlea Klam was in high school in Texas, her school wouldn't let her participate in signing day, even though she had earned a scholarship to play flag football collegiately. 'It was extremely hurtful knowing all of the work that I put in and my high school didn't want to celebrate it,' she recalled this week. Advertisement Klam hopes other girls don't have to experience what she did, and she's working with the Houston Texans Foundation and the franchise's She's Next movement as the Texans' global flag ambassador to help promote female participation in the sport in Texas and beyond. This week, as the U.S. women's and girls teams assembled in California for USA Football's Summer Series, Klam and the rest of the players were celebrated, receiving curated gift boxes from the Texans and foundation vice president Hannah McNair. The boxes featured items players had requested, including headgear, gloves, sports bras, arm sleeves, slides and jumpsuits, all adorned with the She's Next slogan and the Texans' logo. 'We absolutely loved it,' said Klam, who has led Keiser University to the NAIA flag football national championship game the past two seasons. 'It was things that true flag football players want. It's really exciting to know that we are being seen and that we are being heard, and especially from organizations like the Houston Texans, and knowing that they really stepped up to make all of the (teams) and women who are part of USA Football feel really special.' Advertisement Men's and women's flag football will be Olympic sports for the first time in Los Angeles in 2028. McNair and the Texans foundation began focusing on girls' flag football in 2023 and she's been thrilled to see growth in the sport among school-age girls in the last two years. 'I'm so excited about it,' she said. 'The growth of the sport, the excitement, the empowerment it gives females being able to play football. We know what it can do to communities and for individuals but pushing that towards scholarships and educational opportunities for these female athletes is something that we're really focused on.' High school girls' flag football is currently sanctioned as a varsity sport in 15 states, and McNair and the Texans are working with policymakers in the state to push Texas to sanction it. For now, the team's girls flag football program includes more than 2,000 high school athletes in Houston, Austin and El Paso. McNair attended the championships in Houston and El Paso recently and loved seeing the impact the game is making. Advertisement 'It is emotional and also so moving and inspiring to see these athletes and the excitement they have on the field with their teammates, the celebrations,' she said. 'To me it's the ultimate team sport, and to be able to push this sport forward with the interest of all these high school girls and young female athletes has been something that continues to help push us to this next step of trying to get it sanctioned here in Texas.' That's something Klam hopes happens soon so that girls playing flag football in the state will have opportunities she lacked. 'I think it's crazy that I've been able to represent my country at this level, but I was never able to represent my high school,' she said. 'So having that sanctioned and giving so many more girls the opportunity and allowing them to feel like this is something that we're serious about and you have a future, that would would mean a lot to me.' ___ AP NFL:
CBS News
29-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Push to help fund Dallas Wings training site stirs urgency and debate
Women's sports are gaining momentum nationwide, and Dallas city leaders are investing millions to keep that momentum going. With the WNBA's Dallas Wings set to relocate to downtown Dallas, the city is moving quickly to ensure top-tier facilities are ready -- though the timeline has shifted. The team's move to Memorial Auditorium, part of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center complex, has been delayed until 2027 due to overlapping construction and event planning. On Wednesday, the Dallas City Council approved $5.5 million for the design of an off-site training facility for the Wings. The facility is expected to cost between $48 million and $54 million. It will be located at 1200 N. Cockrell Hill Road in West Dallas, separate from the arena where the team will eventually play its home games. Council divided over timing and transparency UNCASVILLE, CT - MAY 27: Connecticut Sun guard Saniya Rivers (22) defended by Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the WNBA game between Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun on May 27, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images While most council members expressed strong support for the Wings' move, some raised concerns about the speed of the process and the lack of public information about the facility's cost and location. "We are very much in support of the Wings," Council member Chad West said. "Just an issue we have to work through today." Council member Paul Ridley questioned the need for a separate training facility, asking, "Can you tell us why they need a practice facility? To practice as well as to play games?" City staff explained that the new convention center complex, which includes Memorial Arena, does not have enough space to accommodate the promised training facility. The vote on Wednesday was strictly to approve additional design funding. A delay could derail the timeline Despite calls to delay the vote for two weeks to allow more public input, the motion to postpone failed. Several council members warned that even a short delay could jeopardize the project's timeline. "It's very rare to be able to go at this kind of speed," council member Omar Narvaez said. "If any of my colleagues think that two weeks is not a big deal, it is a big deal. Those two weeks could delay everything. The Dallas Wings have to be ready and practicing by April 2026." City Manager Kimberly Tolbert echoed that urgency. "We are already in the month of May, less than a year to get design completed ... and for them to be able to move in," Tolbert said. "We don't want to be back in front of the city council explaining why we could not keep the project on track." A vision for Dallas as a sports city Despite the concerns, the council ultimately voted to move forward with the additional funding. Leaders emphasized the importance of positioning Dallas as a premier destination for professional sports. "If we are going to act and be the sports city," Council member Zarin Gracey said, "... we definitely need to keep this moving." City officials also addressed rumors of a delay in the Wings' move to Dallas, stating that the current plan remains on track to welcome the team in 2026.
Fox News
28-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Protect Women's Sports, Or Else!
Protect Women's Sports, Or Else! President Trump is tightening the screws on California over the state's failure to protect women's sports! I'm Tomi Lahren, more next. When President Trump signed his executive order protecting women and girls in sports, he was not playing around! California and its governor Newsom apparently didn't get that memo or didn't care, but they are likely about to. President Trump announced in a lengthy post to Truth Social that he will withhold federal funding to the state if they don't take action to protect the integrity of women's sports! The president also provided the example of the biological male track athlete that recently crushed female athletes in track and field events in riverside county. This particular trans athlete is currently ranked number 1 in the state for triple jump…I wonder why!! This is a story that is becoming FAR too common and the Trump admin will not stand for it. Protect women's sports, or else, California! I'm Tomi Lahren and you watch my show 'Tomi Lahren is Fearless' at m. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
