The International Olympic Committee has ruled that only biological female athletes will be eligible to compete in female category events at the Olympic Games, following the introduction of a compulsory one time gene screening test.
Under the new policy, athletes seeking qualification or participation in female category events from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will be required to undergo an SRY gene test to determine eligibility. The decision follows an 18 month consultation process and is expected to influence regulations across international sports federations.
In a statement, the IOC said, “Based on scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the presence of the SRY gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced male sex development.”
The Olympic body explained that the screening process will be conducted through saliva, cheek swab or blood sample and will be carried out only once during an athlete’s career. The SRY gene refers to the sex determining region Y gene.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry defended the policy shift, stressing fairness and safety concerns in elite competition. She said, “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”
She added, “I really believe this policy is foundationally based in science and led by medical experts. We know that this topic is sensitive.”
Coventry further stated, “Safety on the field of play and fairness. One of the things we like to see in sport is fair and equal treatment of everyone on that field of play. Those are the two personal reasons I felt very strongly about this.”
The IOC clarified that the policy will not apply retroactively and will not affect grassroots or amateur sports. Exceptions may apply in rare cases involving athletes diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome or other differences in sex development who do not gain performance advantages from testosterone.
Athletes who record an SRY positive result will remain eligible to compete in male or open categories, including mixed events where applicable.
The move follows ongoing global debate over gender eligibility in sport, including controversies at the Paris 2024 Olympics involving female boxing champions who had previously faced eligibility questions at world championships.
Several international federations such as athletics, swimming and rugby union had already introduced restrictions on athletes who experienced male puberty competing in women’s events. Human rights and sports advocacy organisations have, however, criticised the introduction of gender testing.
Kimberly Frost of ILGA said, “Sports is where excellence, respect and inclusion meet. But, instead, the IOC decided to create more scrutiny on the body of any woman who would have just wanted to play the game she loves from the Olympics, trickling down to every playground. How is this protection?”
The issue has also drawn political attention, particularly in the United States where former President Donald Trump previously signed an executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in female categories at school, college and professional levels ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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