USA Powerlifting settles trans athlete discrimination case but says Minnesota is 'out of step' with science

Republican political strategist Katie Zacharia weighs in after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of a transgender athlete, stating that USA Powerlifting's policy to exclude transgender women from the women's division is 'discriminatory.'

USA Powerlifting has reached a settlement with trans-identifying male powerlifter JayCee Cooper, ending a legal battle that has stretched more than six years.

But the organization made clear on Tuesday that it is not backing off its stance on sex-based competition.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON OUTKICK

In a press release sent to OutKick and Fox News Digital, USA Powerlifting said the case "turned on the ability of sporting organizations to maintain categories based on male and female physiology to ensure fair competition in strength-based sports."

USA Powerlifting settled with trans-identifying male powerlifter JayCee Cooper, who sued the organization for discrimination. (Getty Images)

The settlement follows a complicated October ruling from the Minnesota Supreme Court, which found that USA Powerlifting had discriminated against Cooper under the state’s Human Rights Act — while simultaneously allowing the organization to argue its policy was justified under a "legitimate business purpose" defense.

HERE'S HOW MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS ARE USING A CIVIL RIGHTS LAW TO DESTROY WOMEN'S SPORTS

Rather than continue down that legal path, USAPL opted to resolve the case.

"We continue to believe strongly in the merits of our case, which are supported by global competition standards and bipartisan public sentiment," former USAPL president and national women’s powerlifting coach Larry Maile said. "But left with few legal options, settlement is in the best interests of the