State department officials around the world have been ordered to bar transgender athletes from visiting the U.S. for sporting competitions.

The U.S. State Department has instructed officials to deny visas to transgender athletes attempting to enter the country for competition, according to reports.

The State Department has reportedly ordered US officials worldwide to deny visas to trans athletes hoping to compete in events in the country. The directive from the US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Monday could affect transgender athletes looking to compete in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in three years’ time,