California’s top high school sports authority made a last-minute policy change ahead of the state’s track and field championships. The move came following backlash over a transgender athlete placing first in the girls’ long jump and triple jump to qualify for the state championship.
Under the new policy, multiple first-place winners will now be allowed. This means that if a transgender athlete outperforms a biological female in a girls’ event, the biological female can still be awarded first place as well.
Policy change comes amid threat of federal funding cuts
President Donald Trump weighed in on Tuesday, May 27, after a transgender athlete advanced to the California state championships by placing first over a female competitor at a recent high school track event. That result meant the biological female athlete, who placed second, would not have advanced to the state championship.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from California unless the state intervened.
CIF announces “pilot entry process” policy change
Just hours after Trump’s post, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced a new policy in a post on X, calling it a “pilot entry process.”
The statement said it would allow “biological female athletes who would have earned a qualifying spot for state” to advance to the championship.
Governor’s office clarifies policy shift
When asked to clarify CIF’s statement, the governor’s office said the new pilot policy will allow for separate scoring for transgender students, meaning there could be multiple first-place winners at the state championships on May 30.
“CIF’s proposed pilot is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness,” Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom, said. “The governor is encouraged by this thoughtful approach.”
Uncertain if policy shift is sufficient for White House
The White House has not responded to the policy shift. It remains unclear if the change will satisfy Trump’s demands, which included banning the transgender athlete from participating in the upcoming state championship, a condition he tied to California’s federal funding.
The policy revision would allow the female athlete who placed second to compete at state championships, although it’s currently unknown whether she will attend. The high school senior who placed second, Katie McGuinness, spoke to Fox News following the meet.
“I’m a high school senior and winning CIF has always been a goal of mine, and I wasn’t able to compete with someone who is genetically different than me,” McGuinness said.
Reactions from California lawmakers
Republican leaders in the state argued the policy change doesn’t go far enough to protect girls in sports.
“We’re pissed at this,” Republican State Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez said. “How every day that goes by, no one is protecting our girls. This is inexcusable, and we need to have something done. Governor Newsom needs to pick a side.”
Meanwhile, Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener pushed back against Trump’s federal funding threats.
“Trump is now targeting California just like he targeted Maine,” Wiener said. “California law protects trans people. That won’t change. There’s only one answer to a bully: No. As Maine Governor Janet Mills said, ‘See you in court.’”
What happens next?
In May, the Trump administration reversed a funding freeze in a settlement with the state of Maine. However, a legal battle between the Trump administration and Maine’s Department of Education over transgender athlete policy is ongoing.
Given the growing tension between Trump and California over a similar issue, some legal analysts suggest California could be the next state to see the matter tested in court.
