Dhaka, July 23 -- The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has effectively banned transgender women from competing in women's events at the Olympic level, citing compliance with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year.

In a low-profile update to its website and a formal letter sent to national sports governing bodies, the USOPC said it is obligated to follow Trump's February executive order titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," which warns of cutting federal funding from organizations that allow transgender athletes to participate in women's competitions.

"As a federally chartered body, we must align with federal expectations," USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland and President Gene Sykes wrote. "Our re...