COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Leaders of Olympic programs testified Tuesday before a special commission of the U.S. secretary of Education that a federal law requiring gender equity in school sports has hindered some men's athletic programs.

They said the programs suffer because the law, Title IX, forces colleges to cut some men's sports, such as gymnastics and wrestling, to make room in the budget for female athletic programs to meet quotas.

"I say it is unfair to eliminate one program that favors one gender to help one favoring another,'' said Marty Mankamyer, president of the United States Olympic Committee.

Mankamyer and other sports experts testified before Education Secretary Rod Paige's Commission on Opportunity in Athletics at a public hearing, the third of four held across the nation. The two-day hearing opened Tuesday at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort.

The 15-member commission, formed in June, is headed by Cynthia Cooper, former WNBA All-Star and ex-coach of the Phoenix Mercury, along with Stanford athletics director Ted Leland.

Commission members are charged with looking for ways to improve Title IX. They will submit their recommendations to Paige by Jan. 31.

The 1972 law requires schools that receive federal money to provide equal athletics opportunities for men and women. Since it took effect, the number of girls playing varsity high school sports has grown sharply, as have budgets for women's athletic programs.

The commission was created in the wake of a lawsuit alleging that Title IX helps women's sports at the expense of programs for men, a sentiment echoed by some speakers on Tuesday. The lawsuit by the National Wrestling Coaches Association is pending in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

Carol Zalesky, former president of USA Swimming, said that while there have been great strides in women's athletics since the creation of Title IX, there have been declines in men's programs at the same time.

"The unfortunate truth is that Title IX has turned into something it was never meant to be,'' Zalesky said.

She added that cuts in men's programs at the collegiate level may ultimately reduce the number of American athletes prepared to compete in the Olympics.

Bob Colarossi, president of USA Gymnastics, agreed, saying that Title IX threatens to cut off Olympic athletic development. As an example, he said the athletic program that helped develop Olympic gymnast Mitch Gaylord has since been dropped.

But George Shur, general counsel for Northern Illinois University, said producing Olympic athletes should not be the primary mission of college athletics.

While he acknowledged problems with Title IX, Shur said there is a place for it on college campuses and beyond.

"It has made a difference not just in women's athletic programs or for women athletes, but in how women are viewed and treated in general in our society,'' Shur said.

Others argued that female athletes long succeeded without Title IX. Gary Abbott, director of special projects for USA Wrestling, said the Olympic dreams of many women were reached without gender quotas.

"The Olympic movement proves that women's sports can grow without harming men's sports,'' Abbott said. "If you take away the quota we will not return to the Stone Age. No one will allow it.''

University of North Carolina-Wilmington athletic director Peggy Bradley-Doppes said too much progress has been made toward gender equity in sports -- and too much remains to be done -- to give up on Title IX now.

"We need to stay the course,'' said Bradley-Doppes, who is also president of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators.

"Title IX is not the problem. Enforcement of Title IX is the solution,'' she said.

Members of the public offered passionate testimony both for and against the legislation later in the afternoon.

"If they take sports equality away, they are demoting girls, not promoting them,'' said Sharoia Taylor, a Denver University High School freshman who has a black belt in tae kwan do and also competes in track and soccer.

"These sports have become a part of my life and an essential element to keep me relaxed and focused on school,'' Taylor said.

Kevin Bracken, a wrestler in the 2000 Olympics, said his dreams suffered from Title IX.

Bracken said Illinois State University dropped wrestling in 1995, his senior year, and the wrestling room was taken over by women's gymnastics.

"I was stripped of my participation and denied benefits because of my sex,'' he said.