Senator Tommy Tuberville tells Gavin Newsom to ban trans athletes from women's sports ahead of LA Olympics READ MORE: NCAA urged to introduce major new rule to block trans athletes By ALEX RASKIN Published: 14:48 GMT, 27 March 2025 | Updated: 14:50 GMT, 27 March 2025 Republican Alabama senator and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville is urging Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom to ban transgender athletes from women's sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Newsom has publicly stated he believes it's unfair for athletes assigned 'male' at birth to compete with girls and women but has not called for an outright ban. In his open letter to Newsom, Tuberville described the years leading up to the 2028 Summer Games as an opportunity to do just that. 'As Governor of California, you have a massive opportunity to send a clear message to the world: in the United States, we protect the rights of women to fairly and safely compete,' Tuberville wrote in the letter, provided to Outkick. 'As we welcome athletes from all backgrounds, it is crucial that we strike a balance between fair competition and inclusivity,' Tuberville added. 'This isn't about excluding transgender athletes – it is about protecting the rights of female athletes who have worked their entire lives to compete and deserve a fair opportunity.' Tuberville mentioned Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris after previously being disqualified by the International Boxing Association at the 2023 world championships. Republican Alabama senator and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville is urging Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom to ban transgender athletes at the LA Games Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly stated he believes it's unfair for athletes assigned 'male' at birth to compete with girls and women but has not called for an outright ban Imane Khelif of Team Algeria celebrates winning the gold medal after the Boxing Women's 66kg Final match against Liu Yang of Team People's Republic of China BREAKING NEWS USA Olympics star Gabby Thomas announces life-changing news The IBA claimed Khelif failed a gender test, but because the organization lost its Olympic recognition over governance issues, the IOC cleared Khelif to compete in Paris last summer. Khelif was assigned 'female' at birth and no medical evidence contradicting her gender has been published. 'I encourage you, in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to advocate for and implement clear, transparent, and scientifically supported rules for these Games,' Tuberville wrote. 'The last thing the world wants to see in 2028 is a repeat of the Paris Olympics, where we witnessed a person with male chromosomes repeatedly punch a female athlete in the face in the women's boxing competition.' Tuberville is making an apparent reference to Khelif's Olympic win over Italy's Angela Carini, who was weeping after being punched in the face by her Algerian counterpart at the Paris Games. Khelif is 46-9 as a pro with just seven knockouts, according to Boxrec.com. CaliforniaParisGavin NewsomAlabama Share or comment on this article: Senator Tommy Tuberville tells Gavin Newsom to ban trans athletes from women's sports ahead of LA Olympics Add comment