According to independent journalist Marisa Kabas, who first reported the news in her newsletter The Handbasket this week, the policy change was made to comply with a February 5 executive order rescinding federal funding for educational programs that allow trans women and girls to participate in women's and girls' athletics programs. Kabas reports that the change came in response to a directive from the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).