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Trump's 4th of July fireworks display on National Mall confirmed as largest in history
Nearly two months after President Doanld Trump proclaimed Washington, D.C. would launch the "LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN HISTORY," Guinness World Records confirmed it this week.
"The largest firework display consists of 840,537 fireworks, and was achieved by Freedom 250 and Pyrotecnico, Inc (both USA) at an event organized by Event Strategies Inc in Washington D.C., USA, on 4 July 2026," the organization wrote on its website.
Despite weather delays that involved revelers being evacuated from the National Mall, hundreds of thousands of people still watched the Washington, D.C., fireworks that began just before midnight last month.
TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM TRUMP'S LATE-NIGHT JULY 4 ADDRESS: ‘NO DREAM IN HISTORY IS BIGGER’
The president also gave an abbreviated speech beforehand as part of the "Salute to America" celebration for the 250th anniversary of the country.
Once it got underway, the show lasted for about 40 minutes.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum explained in June that the fireworks would be launched from several sites because of its immense scale.
"Normally the fireworks are set off right along here," he told the Washington Reporter of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
"This year, because of the size and scale of the thing, there are so many locations where the fireworks are going to be going off, including barges," he explained.
FLASHBACK: AS AMERICAN TURNS 250, HERE'S HOW THE NATION CELEBRATED ITS BIGGEST BIRTHDAYS
The White House launched Freedom 250 as a public-private partnership months ago and the president serves as chair of the initiative.
The previous record holder for largest fireworks celebration was a megachurch’s 2016 New Year's Eve show, which featured 810,904 fireworks, according to The Washington Post.
"On July 4th, America came together to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday with the largest fireworks display in history — over 850,000 fireworks lighting up the National Mall and the Potomac River, and miles around in a 40-minute spectacular," Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez shared in a statement with Fox News Digital.
AMERICA 250 ATTENDEES FIRE BACK AT CRITICS OF TRUMP'S JULY 4 SPEECH: 'WHAT WE NEEDED TO HEAR'
Alvarez added, "This historic display shattered the previous global benchmark and stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and pride as we begin our nation’s next 250 years. Freedom 250 is honored to have brought this moment to millions of Americans, and we thank everyone who made it possible."
"No other president in history could have accomplished the incredible feat that President Trump did at our Nation’s historic 250th birthday celebration, which included an incredible air show, a record-breaking fireworks display, and an inspiring speech delivered before hundreds of thousands of American patriots," the White House said in a statement, according to the Post.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Florida man allegedly kills family's kittens in front of teenage daughter as form of punishment: officials
A Florida father was arrested this week for allegedly killing the family's kittens in front of his teenage daughter as a form of punishment, authorities said.
Bodycam video released by the Lee County Sheriff's Office shows deputies responding to a home in Pine Manor after receiving a report that a man was attempting to drown and strike a two-month-old kitten named Luna.
David Charette Jr., 48, was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty after authorities accused him of killing two kittens and injuring a third.
Witnesses told deputies that Charette allegedly abused and killed the family's kittens in front of his teenage daughter as a form of punishment when she "acted up."
'DEEPLY DISTURBING' ANIMAL CRUELTY OPERATION INVOLVING BABY MONKEYS BUSTED BY ICE INVESTIGATION
Charette defended his treatment of Luna while speaking with deputies in the body camera video.
"The cat is in perfectly healthy condition," Charette told deputies. "I have to give the cat a bath because it soils itself in the cage."
"It's covered in crap and I have to give it a bath, and it cries, and she doesn't like that," he added.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the allegations involving Charette's daughter made the case particularly disturbing.
"A daughter says that when she acts up or when she's in trouble, her father kills her kittens. This is sickening to me," Marceno told CBS affiliate WINK.
Investigators said they later learned Charette had allegedly killed two other kittens over the previous year.
In June, Charette allegedly smothered a one-month-old kitten with a bleach-soaked rag, according to the sheriff's office.
In a separate incident, investigators said Charette allegedly killed a three-month-old kitten with a blow-dryer.
Authorities said both kittens had been buried in the backyard, but investigators recovered only one during a search of the property.
Luna was taken to a local animal hospital for treatment and is recovering, according to the sheriff's office.
UFC star Conor McGregor goes viral for drone delivery fiasco after undergoing knee surgery
More and more things are becoming available via drone delivery, and UFC star Conor McGregor just showed us all that there are still some kinks that need to be worked out with this system.
Last month at UFC 329, McGregor made his highly anticipated return to the octagon, which lasted 69 seconds due to an injury.
McGregor had surgery this week and decided to celebrate by getting an energy drink delivered to him by drone.
CONOR MCGREGOR HAS SURGERY ON TORN ACL, AGAIN VOWS COMEBACK: 'MY KNEE IS REPAIRED...THANK YOU GOD'
As one does.
The 38-year-old Irishman was spotted on a balcony trying to retrieve his beverage, which proved to be way more difficult than it probably should've been.
You'd think he'd have a guy who runs and gets him drinks, but hey, drone delivery is cool.
They recently started doing drone deliveries near where I live, and I've been hoping I forget something so I can try it.
DOORDASH GETS FAA APPROVAL FOR ITS OWN DELIVERY DRONES
However, McGregor's experience has me second-guessing it.
For starters, I don't think anyone has ever been happier to be on crutches than McGregor was when he realized that the sticks he's been hobbling around on could also be used as a makeshift arm extender. He's like a post-op Inspector Gadget.
But that proved to be easier said than done (though many pointed out that McGregor should've used the other end of the crutch so it could hook the drone tether).
What I don't get is why the drone just hovered there while an Irishman swung crutches at it.
Doesn't the drone have cameras or sensors to detect when someone is trying in vain to retrieve the payload?
It should. Then it could just move over a bit so someone like McGregor doesn't pop the stitches on that knee of his because he was trying to snag a Monster he had shipped by air and probably paid a premium for.
So, after seeing that display of McGregor demonstrating the shortcomings in drone delivery technology, I think I'll get groceries I forgot the old-fashioned way: by driving to the grocery store when my wife says we're out of something.
Sophie Cunningham speaks out against DiJonai Carrington after flagrant foul and 'White privilege' post
Sophie Cunningham spoke out against Chicago Sky star DiJonai Carrington after the Fever's 90-86 win on Saturday.
Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.
"Clearly, I think it was like unnecessary. I've never really spoken to her and have no beef with her, but I guess she has some pent up stuff. So get your s--- off. That's fine. I can take it... Yeah, it's intentional," Cunningham said, per ESPN's Kareem Copeland on X.
"She has no reason to be doing any of that. So good way to get her kicked out. I don't even know her. She wasn't even on the team last year when all that was going on. But I do think when people play the Fever, we're nationally televised, there's a lot of eyes on us and people just want attention. And that's her just trying to get attention."
After the foul, Cunningham and Carrington were seen getting in each other's faces and yelling, as referees had to separate them.
After Carrington's ejection, she went on Threads and wrote "White Privilege" and tagged the Indiana Fever. Cunningham rejected Carrington's suggestion that the ejection had anything to do with race.
"I think the league is taking care of that. This has nothing to do with race. Last year, I did the same thing and I got kicked out. And I deserved to be kicked out. There's no reason even to play that card," Cunningham added.
Meanwhile, Cunningham's own coach, Stephanie White, defended Carrington in the post-game press conference, while agreeing the flagrant foul and ejection was the right call.
"Yeah, I mean, look, it was a hard foul. I don't think that DiJonai intentionally came out to get her across the neck like she did. But it did happen and I thought it was the right call. But you know, one of the things about Nay is that she's gonna play her butt off, man. She's gonna compete. Nobody's gonna go walking in for a layup. And so, I don't oppose the hard foul. But I also don't think that she intentionally went for the neck," White said.
White declined to comment on Carrington's "White privilege" post.
White previously coached Carrington when both were with the Connecticut Sun in 2023-24. In the 2024 playoffs, Carrington poked Fever phenom Caitlin Clark in the eye.
Carrington's current coach, Sky coach Tyler Marsh, also defended Carrington and said he believed it wasn't a flagrant foul in the moment.
"In the moment, I thought that she made a play on a ball. I didn't think it warranted a flagrant 2, I didn't see it in the replay. So that was my initial thoughts," Marsh said. "I haven't looked at that play since, so I really don't know if it was justified or not."
Marsh also declined to comment on Carrington's "White privilege" post. He also rejected the notion that Carrington may have come into the game with more emotion to play against Cunningham due to Cunningham's recent public stance in support of protecting women's sports.
JD VANCE PRAISES SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM FOR 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' ACTIVISM
"I don't think there is ill intent on our end," he added.
The incident between the two players unfolded as Cunningham remained at the center of a widening political debate. Supporters held a fourth rally outside the venue of a Fever road game on Saturday, while counterprotesters also gathered near the United Center.
Cunningham has said she does not harbor hatred toward transgender people but believes protecting girls and women in sports is "common sense." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously defended Cunningham, saying the backlash against her was "astonishing."
With another Cunningham rally already scheduled ahead of the Fever’s Aug. 22 game against the New York Liberty, controversy is bound to surround Cunningham and Indiana beyond Chicago.
Meanwhile, Carrington already had a contentious history with the Fever before Saturday. During the 2024 season, she mocked Caitlin Clark for what she believed was flopping and later called Indiana supporters "the nastiest fans in the W" after receiving racist abuse from some online users.
Carrington then struck Clark in the eye while defending a pass during the 2024 playoffs, leaving the Fever star with a black eye. Both players said the contact was accidental, although Carrington later drew renewed criticism after appearing to joke about the controversy during an Instagram Live video.
Carrington has also responded to accusations that she plays dirty, insisting she simply plays aggressively and always attempts to make a play on the ball. Beyond basketball, she has drawn attention for wearing an explicit anti-President Donald Trump sweatshirt and urging WNBA players to oppose Trump administration policies affecting women and the LGBTQ community.
Scott Eastwood says his father sent Kevin Costner home from set while filming 'A Perfect World'
Scott Eastwood is getting candid about how his father once asked a well-known actor to leave a movie set.
During a recent interview on the "Armchair Expert" podcast, the 40-year-old actor shared that everybody has "a lot of respect" for his father, Clint Eastwood, on set and that he "didn't raise his voice ever" while on set.
He then shared a "legendary story" about when his father worked with Kevin Costner, and how he reacted when the actor wouldn't leave his trailer, noting "I’m sort of going to paraphrase it, and I’ll probably tell it a little wrong."
"Kevin Costner sort of going through maybe, the Kevin Costner rise to fame and maybe got a big ego, you know, blah blah blah, but they were doing 'Perfect World,'" he said. "Apparently, he didn't want to come out of his trailer for some reason."
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Scott said Clint — who directed and starred in the film — reacted by saying, "Well send him home then," even though Costner was scheduled to be in the scene they were working on that day.
"So he sent him home, and I guess they just went to Kevin and said, 'Hey, you're going to go home for the day,'" Scott explained. "He said, 'What do you mean I'm in the scene?' You know, 'Well, I guess you're not anymore. Clint changed that.'"
After he was asked to leave the set that day, Scott noted, "I think the next day he was on set ready to go."
Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Costner for comment.
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"A Perfect World" stars Costner as an escaped convict who kidnaps a young child, with Clint playing the role of a Texas ranger who is searching for Costner and the young boy.
Scott previously discussed how growing up with a famous father impacted his work ethic and how he conducts himself on set, noting that growing up he saw "some behavior in this business that is shocking."
"I think I was lucky in some ways because I got to see it growing up and got to see like how it's bulls---," he said on an episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience," in June of certain behaviors on modern movie sets.
While Eastwood said he got a peek at bad behavior on set when he was younger and visiting his iconic dad on set, the "Wrath of Man" star said his father "did a really good job of protecting" him and his siblings from the pitfalls that come with child stardom.
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He brought it up after he and Rogan began talking about child stars who found fame at a really young age, saying, "you get stunted in your growth" when you get famous too young.
"I mean, kudos to my dad, [be]cause he did a really good job of protecting us from that and very private," he said. "We didn't live in LA, we lived in Carmel. It was a very...as normal as it could be, in the sense that he was like, 'No, you just you need to be a normal child and learn how the world works.'"
President Trump receives big cheers from spectators during LIV Golf event at his New Jersey club
LIV Golf is hosting its New York event at President Donald Trump’s National Golf Club Bedminster.
It's the third time that the upstart tour has held an event at one of the president's golf clubs.
As was the case at one previous event, President Trump himself was on hand to check things out.
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According to The New York Post, the commander-in-chief received a big ovation from spectators as he drove a golf cart along the course.
It's always interesting to hear how Trump is received at various sporting events, but you can usually make a pretty good guess.
UFC fight? Huge ovation.
College football game? Big ovation.
Knicks playoff game? Boos.
So, I think it would've been kind of odd if he had been greeted with anything other than cheers at his own golf club.
Of course, the president being on hand for this weekend's event is a big deal for LIV Golf, which is going through an interesting time at the moment.
There was a time when it was a real question as to whether or not the tour would survive beyond 2026. Back in April, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced that it would no longer fund the tour.
TRUMP WEIGHS IN ON LIV GOLF, PGA TOUR AFTER SAUDIS PULL FUNDING OF STARTUP LEAGUE
That's a huge problem, seeing as the PIF was LIV's only funder.
However, LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil announced this week that the tour has an as-yet-unnamed investor lined up.
"LIV Golf has an agreement in place with a lead investor, signed by the investor and approved by the Board, to anchor the transaction and play a key role in supporting the path forward for the League’s next era, driven by and for the players," O'Neil said.
WNBA faces discipline dilemma after Carrington's 'White privilege' post targeting Indiana Fever
Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham on Saturday afternoon.
Then Carrington presumably went to the locker room and fired off a strong accusation.
A post on Carrington's Threads account shortly after her ejection read: "WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever."
Whoa.
WNBA COACH TORCHES LEAGUE’S OFFICIATING AFTER LATEST BIZARRE NO-CALL: ‘IT’S A F------ JOKE’
Following an ejection, a player went to the locker room and made an apparent race-based accusation. It's hard to imagine that happening in another major professional sports league without a harsh punishment from the league.
The Fever went on to beat the Sky, 90-86, but that seemed like a secondary story at best.
Carrington was tossed late in the first quarter after striking Cunningham across the head while the Fever guard attempted a layup. Officials reviewed the play and upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2, which carries an automatic ejection. Cunningham had to be restrained following the play and appeared to show her teammates that her mouth was bleeding.
The timing of Carrington's post certainly appeared to suggest that she believed race, or "white privilege," played some role in what happened.
WNBA SUDDENLY WANTS TO STICK TO BASKETBALL AFTER YEARS OF MAKING POLITICS PART OF THE PRODUCT
While Carrington didn't specifically write, "The referees are racist," it's hard to find an alternative interpretation. Unless, since she tagged the Indiana Fever, she thinks the Fever organization is racist.
Either way, the WNBA finds itself in a terrible spot.
Either the league has to impose a harsh punishment on Carrington, which potentially angers other players in the WNBA and certain corners of the sports media, or it does nothing and risks reinforcing the perception that different racial standards apply, despite Commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently telling Congress that the league applies its rules and disciplinary processes consistently across all games and all players.
OutKick contacted the WNBA, the WNBA Players' Association and the Chicago Sky shortly after Carrington's post.
The league was asked whether it interpreted the message as an allegation that race or racial bias played a role in Carrington's ejection, whether it had spoken with Carrington about the post and whether it was reviewing the matter for potential discipline.
The Sky were similarly asked what Carrington meant, whether she was alleging racial bias in the officiating decision and whether the organization stood by her characterization.
OutKick also contacted the WNBPA, asking whether the union believes race or racial bias played a role in Carrington's ejection, whether it has evidence of racial disparities in WNBA officiating and whether it stands by Carrington's "WHITE PRIVILEGE" characterization.
None of the organizations responded prior to publication.
WNBPA SAYS IT DID NOT ASK WNBA TO DROP USA 250 ALL-STAR PATCH AFTER UNION OFFICER PUBLICLY OBJECTED
Complaints about officiating are part of professional sports. Players think they get fouled too much, coaches think opponents get favorable whistles, and fans are convinced every referee has a bet on their favorite team's opponent.
But claiming "white privilege" immediately after an officiating decision is different. It introduces the idea that officials aren't simply making good or bad basketball calls, but that race might influence how those calls are made.
If that's what Carrington meant, she should say it clearly and explain what evidence she has.
If that's not what she meant, that's pretty easy to clear up, too.
And there's another important piece of context in this specific incident.
Sophie Cunningham has become one of the WNBA's most polarizing players after publicly stating that she doesn't believe biological men should compete in women's sports. Her position has generated rallies at Fever games, subsequent counter-protests and open disagreement from others inside the WNBA, including the players' association.
So, it's entirely possible Carrington's message was aimed at something broader than the officiating.
Again, that's why clarification matters.
The WNBA can't spend years embracing players speaking publicly about politics, race, gender and social issues, then treat a player's "WHITE PRIVILEGE" accusation as something that doesn't deserve a suspension.
And the WNBPA has a problem, too. On Friday, the union said "hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people" fuels "fear, division, and harm."
Well, if "any person or group" actually means any person or group, then the union can’t carve out an exception when one of its own players invokes "WHITE PRIVILEGE" against another team.
Carrington not only posted that accusation publicly, but she did it during a game and presumably from inside a WNBA locker room. She tagged another WNBA franchise.
The league, the players' association and the Sky were given an opportunity to explain what she meant or, at minimum, say whether they asked her.
They haven't yet.
For now, Carrington's two-word accusation is left to speak for itself.
Molly Sims flaunts toned abs in mismatched bikini during perfect beach day with her kids
Molly Sims is enjoying a beach day with her kids.
The 53-year-old model and actress took to Instagram to share how she and her family spent "a perfect beach day" together.
She posted a series of photos on her Instagram stories featuring her children swimming in the ocean and building sandcastles, as well as one of her in a mismatched bikini with the words, "Oh hey," written over it.
In the photo, Sims can be seen flaunting her toned abs in a black bikini top and blue bikini bottoms, which she paired with a chunky chain necklace with a heart charm with the letter "M" on it, as well as black sunglasses and a black hat.
KRISTIN CAVALLARI FLAUNTS HER TONED FIGURE IN BIKINIS DURING EUROPEAN SUMMER VACATION
She also shared a photo of herself after leaving the beach in a white dress with black polka dots, which she paired with the same gold chain necklace, gold hoop earrings and minimal makeup.
"Nothing like getting ready for dinner after a day in the sun," she wrote over the picture, adding a sun emoji.
The model recently made waves when she was featured in the pages of the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, sporting a variety of bikinis.
Sims posted some of the photos on her Instagram, including an orange string bikini she wore while posing on a cliff along the ocean, a pink one, which she paired with suspenders, and a red suit which featured silver shell embellishments.
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"If only I could tell the 20-something version of me shooting her first @si_swimsuit issue that she’d still be here at 52… feeling more beautiful and confident in her skin than ever before."
Sims first posed for the magazine in 2000, and went on to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue eight separate times.
She has never been one to shy away from posting bikini photos on social media, often taking to Instagram to share photos from various vacations, whether she was in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, or on a mountain vacation in the snow.
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In February 2023, Sims took to her Instagram stories to share how she keeps her body bikini ready, noting her secret is bone broth, and she showed a picture of a mug filled with it.
She wrote, "Anti-ageing [sic], good for digestion and gut, helps my joints after workouts, better sleep... this has been game changing for me."
EXCLUSIVE: Teen girls recall Jersey Shore ride malfunction that left them stuck hanging upside down
FIRST ON FOX: Early last month, on the day after the Fourth of July, more than a dozen people found themselves trapped upside down on a malfunctioning ride along the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey.
Charlotte Hacker and Emilia Gordon, both 13, were among the passengers on the Wipe Out ride at Playland's Castaway Cove when it got stuck that evening.
The two friends were interviewed with their parents' permission, recounting to Fox News Digital the terrifying experience of dangling midair with no idea of when they would come down.
"We were stuck upside down for five to seven minutes, and it doesn't seem like that much to the people that were down watching us, but we were up there, and it felt like an hour," Hacker said on Saturday.
EIGHT RIDERS LEFT DANGLING ATOP 100-FOOT ROLLER COASTER FOR OVER THREE HOURS AT TEXAS AMUSEMENT PARK
The girls went to the boardwalk to celebrate Gordon’s 13th birthday, which was the following day. They said they often ride the attractions there and decided to try the Wipe Out because it was new.
The ride swings like a pendulum, repeatedly turning thrill-seekers upside down while its passenger compartment spins. Only this time, the ride inexplicably stopped with everyone suspended upside down.
"I seriously thought I was going to pass out," Gordon said. "You try to put your head up, but you literally can't. You can barely get it up at all."
The girls, seated next to each other, tried to carry on mundane conversations to distract themselves while blood rushed to their heads.
SIX FLAGS GUESTS STRANDED 245 FEET IN AIR AFTER POWER OUTAGE FORCES COASTER EVACUATION
"I remember thinking that the lap bars were going to open and that we were just going to fall," Gordon said.
Family members on the ground waiting for their kids to get off the ride were terrified as well, the girls said.
"My uncle was there too, because we were all with my cousins, so he was also freaking out," Hacker said.
Eventually, the ride's operators managed to get it moving again, but to the girls' dismay, it kept on going. Once the ride finished, they said they weren't let off for another few minutes.
It is unclear what caused the apparent malfunction, and if any injuries were reported.
Hacker said the ride did not close, adding that there were some people who stayed in line and rode it after they got off.
"When we came off, people were literally clapping," Gordon said.
The amusement park offered ticket refunds to the girls, which they didn't think was sufficient after what they went through.
"That ride is five tickets, so they just gave back our ticket but [Hacker] only got three back. I got five. But still, after all that, I feel like you expect more," Gordon said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Ocean City Fire Department, Ocean City Police Department, the ride's operator and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for comment.
USA Volleyball suggests changes coming to sex testing, while junior families raise male athlete concerns
USA Volleyball suggested it may change its policy on genetic sex tests to protect the women's category. Meanwhile, multiple female players of USA Volleyball-sanctioned leagues and their families have spoken out about playing against an allegedly transgender opponent.
USA Volleyball, the International Volleyball Federation and members of the U.S. Women’s National Team said they have reached a "constructive path forward" after players raised concerns about the rollout of genetic screening used to determine eligibility for the female category in international competition.
The organizations said in a July 28 joint statement that they had reached a "shared understanding" over concerns surrounding the sex-determining region Y, or SRY, screening process.
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"Following a series of productive discussions, the FIVB, USA Volleyball, and members of the USA Women’s National Team (WNT) are pleased to confirm a shared understanding and a constructive path forward regarding the concerns raised in relation to the SRY screening process," the statement read.
"When the WNT first raised concerns through USA Volleyball related to communication, athlete privacy and procedural safeguards, the FIVB responded immediately by meeting with USA Volleyball and adapting its procedures to address these concerns."
The statement did not announce an end to SRY screening or a change to the eligibility standard itself. Instead, it focused on how the testing is communicated and administered and said the parties would continue working together to improve the process.
The dispute followed the International Olympic Committee’s March 2026 policy, which limits eligibility for the female category at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and other IOC events to biological females, as determined through a one-time SRY gene screening. The IOC says the policy is not retroactive and does not apply to grassroots or recreational sports.
FIVB incorporated SRY screening into its 2026 Sports Regulations. Under those rules, the presence of a Y chromosome initially places a player in the male category, while its absence makes a player eligible for the female category. The regulations also establish a process through which a player may seek a change in categorization by demonstrating that no competitive advantage would result.
The FIVB rule is limited to FIVB, world and other official competitions organized by the international federation, its confederations and zonal associations. FIVB’s regulations expressly leave eligibility rules for domestic club competition to each national federation.
That distinction has become a flashpoint for three families who told Fox News Digital that their daughters competed on teams with an alleged biological male athlete in a USA Volleyball-sanctioned league. The families allege that an amended birth certificate was accepted as the controlling eligibility document even though, they say, the alleged biological male athlete’s sex at birth was male.
USA Volleyball’s current Gender Competition Policy says athlete members are expected to compete in USAV-sanctioned events "as a member of the gender assigned at the time of birth on their birth certificate." The same policy says the gender recorded for competition purposes "has not officially been verified."
Fox News Digital is not identifying the girls, their family members or the league that they play in but has independently verified they compete in a USA Volleyball-sanctioned league. Fox News Digital has not independently verified an alleged biological male competes in that league.
The following family statements are reproduced in full. The families’ assertions about an alleged biological male athlete, an amended birth certificate, communications with volleyball officials and the alleged athlete’s physical characteristics have not been independently verified by Fox News Digital.
"It’s wrong because [the alleged biological male athlete] is biologically stronger than me. I’ll never jump as high as [the alleged biological male athlete] can. No matter how much training I do, I’ll never be able to do what [the alleged biological male athlete’s] body can do. I’m labeled as transphobic for being against all the things that I just said and it’s just facts. No hate. I hope they start testing to make sure that boys are not ever on the court with girls."
"My daughter competed alongside an [alleged] biologically male player, so this policy change is deeply personal to our family. Watching her navigate an incredibly stressful season was heartbreaking. Beyond the emotional toll, our family sacrificed countless hours and significant financial resources, only to feel like the integrity of the competition was compromised. We were put in a position where I believed the rules weren’t being followed, and it was incredibly frustrating to feel like we had no choice but to accept it.
"This policy validates what so many female athletes and parents have experienced but were often afraid to say publicly. I hope USA Volleyball remains committed to keeping the female division exclusively for female athletes and protecting the fairness, safety, and opportunities that girls deserve, so no other family has to go through what ours did."
"Being a female athlete and having to play, with or against, an [alleged] biological male should not be something that any female athlete should have to do. It is simply unfair. Male athletes already start with an advantage that no female athletes can reach, leaving a huge mental impact on the female players around them. It leaves female athletes, like myself, comparing their ability to the men on their court, making them insecure about something they may never be able to reach.
"This takes opportunities away from the female athletes as well, who work hard every day to improve their athletic ability but in the end, they will never have the strength, vertical, or endurance a male is naturally able to develop. Not to mention, males participating in women's sporting events is illegal. So not only is it unfair by taking away female opportunities, it is against the law."
"For this entire volleyball season, my husband and I have been forced to watch my daughter and ten other girls compete on a team alongside an [alleged biological male athlete] on the roster. It has been infuriating because we feel that we are not protecting her, yet to speak out could foil her chance at making an elite roster next season. We are sending these young women very mixed messages. We teach our children that the hard work they put into working out, practicing and being a good team player will have its rewards.
"However, in this case, the work that the girls are putting in is futile. My daughter and her teammates feel defeated because they know the physical advantage that males have over females. They often have to listen as male coaches praise the [alleged biological male athlete’s] athletic ability, all the while these girls knowing that [the alleged biological male athlete] has unfair physical advantages.
"As a society that allows boys into girls’ private spaces, we are sending the young women a message that they will never be good enough, that the scholarships will probably never go to them, and that in general, being a female, is at best, only good enough to stand in 2nd place, behind the boys who you never had a chance at beating in the first place. As adults, we are failing to keep our young girls safe.
"As parents of athletes, we have a responsibility to raise our girls to be proud of being female, proud of being strong in mind and body, and proud to stand for the rights of all women and girls, both on the court and off. We cannot allow these violations to continue. Women were granted these rights under Title IX, and the law is being violated by USA Volleyball! Women and girls and their advocates should not have to continue to fight for rights that were already given to them!"
"As a female athlete who loves playing volleyball, I never thought or could have ever imagined I would have to be put in a situation where I would have to compete with and against an [alleged] boy.
"Seeing an [alleged] boy jump higher and hit harder while seeing [the alleged biological male athlete] get recognized over me was extremely humiliating as a female athlete. No matter how hard I worked at getting better, I knew I could never be as good as [the alleged biological male athlete]. Volleyball nets are higher in men’s volleyball due to this reason.
"I trusted USA Volleyball and leadership members who run volleyball club organizations to protect me and my fellow female athletes. Instead, I have lost trust in these adults and organizations. Knowing [alleged] male athletes are playing under the USA Volleyball guidelines and sweeping it under the rug makes me feel defeated as a young female. I have worked so hard to get to where I am, and allowing an [alleged] boy to play on an all-girls volleyball team has me discouraged to even keep playing the sport I love.
"USA Volleyball states 'compete in the gender matching the sex assigned at birth on their birth certificate.' Well in my state you can change your gender with the identity you identify as. How is this fair? Due to your guidelines and rules, I have to compete with an [alleged] biological male because they can amend their birth certificate to FEMALE. This is not fair or safe for me and the rest of female athletes."
"As a mother of a female athlete whose daughter had to play on the same team as an [alleged] biological male, I believe USA Volleyball should have clear, consistent methods for verifying athlete eligibility. The current USA Volleyball policy states that 'USAV athlete members are expected to participate or compete in all USAV-sanctioned events or activities as a member of the gender assigned at the time of birth on their birth certificate.'
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"As a parent of a female athlete, it is frustrating when the rules are not being applied consistently. In some states, birth certificates can be amended to reflect a person’s gender identity.
"This creates uncertainty when eligibility rules are intended to be based on biological sex at birth. In competitions where eligibility is based on biological sex, we believe USA Volleyball needs to consider additional methods of verification so that the rules are applied consistently to every athlete and all competitors are treated fairly. I witnessed firsthand what my daughter and her teammates experienced.
"They felt humiliated and discouraged when an [alleged] male athlete had physical advantages in jumping and hitting power that the girls could not match. They also felt disheartened when those abilities received recognition. Men’s volleyball is played with a higher net, reflecting recognized physical differences between the men’s and women’s games. I watched my daughter’s confidence decline because she believed the eligibility rules were not being enforced consistently.
"She felt there was no meaningful way to ensure that the policy was applied as written. USA Volleyball needs to do more to protect fair competition for female athletes. Solely relying on birth certificates alone is not sufficient enough to verify eligibility under a policy that is intended to be based on sex assigned at birth."
"As a father, I was outraged. I trusted that if USA Volleyball had eligibility rules, they would be enforced consistently. Instead, I watched my daughter and her teammates compete in a situation they believed did not follow those rules. USA volleyball said they wouldn’t remove the [alleged biological male] athlete because of an amended birth certificate, even though the policy is based on sex assigned at birth.
"I was given a meeting after requesting one with the leadership of my daughter’s local volleyball team to discuss concerns regarding an [alleged] male athlete participating on her girls’ team. During the meeting, information was presented that demonstrated the athlete was [allegedly] biologically male.
"Despite the evidence provided, the team leadership stated that they had been instructed by both their regional governing organization and USA Volleyball to accept the athlete’s amended birth certificate as the determining document for eligibility. As a result, my concerns were dismissed, and no further action was taken by the organization regarding the matter. Her local club team was not only made aware of the [alleged biological male athlete] being in the team but was also told by numerous other parents on her team along with opposing team parents and coaches and they still turned a blind eye.
"What made me the angriest was watching my daughter pay the price. My daughter lost confidence, felt like her concerns were dismissed, and started questioning whether the rules actually meant anything. As a father, there’s nothing more frustrating than seeing your child speak up, believe she’s standing up for what’s right, and feel like no one is willing to listen.
"This isn’t about hate or attacking anyone personally. It’s about fairness, accountability, and expecting organizations to enforce the policies they put in place. If the rules are going to exist, they should be applied consistently to every athlete. That’s all we’ve ever asked for."
Fox News Digital has reached out to USA Volleyball for a response to the family's statements.