The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that only “biological females” will be eligible to compete in women’s events from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, marking a significant shift in policy.
The decision introduces mandatory sex verification through a one-time SRY gene screening, to be conducted via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample. The test will determine eligibility for all female categories across Olympic sports.
The new rules replace the IOC’s 2021 framework, which allowed individual sports federations to set their own eligibility criteria regarding transgender athletes. Under the revised approach, a single, standardised policy will now apply across all disciplines.
The IOC confirmed that the move will also exclude many athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD), a group that has been at the centre of ongoing scientific and ethical debate.
IOC president Kirsty Coventry defended the decision, stating it is grounded in scientific evidence and aims to ensure fairness.
“At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can determine victory or defeat,” Coventry said. “It would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category, and in some sports it may also raise safety concerns.”
The policy also removes a potential point of tension with Donald Trump ahead of the Los Angeles Games. Trump had previously issued an executive order banning transgender athletes from women’s sport and later claimed the IOC’s decision as a result of that action.
Several international federations, including World Athletics, welcomed the IOC’s move. A spokesperson said a consistent global standard would help “protect women’s sport” and encourage greater participation by ensuring a level playing field.
The reintroduction of gender testing echoes practices last seen at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, having first been implemented at the 1968 Olympics before being scrapped amid criticism from scientists.
The latest decision is expected to face opposition, particularly concerning athletes with DSD. A recent publication in the British Journal of Sports Medicine noted a lack of high-quality scientific evidence linking DSD conditions with clear athletic advantage.
One of the most prominent athletes affected by such policies is Caster Semenya, a two-time Olympic 800m champion who has previously challenged eligibility regulations.
The IOC’s stance follows controversy during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where gender eligibility disputes emerged in women’s boxing involving Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting.
Both athletes had been barred from the 2023 world championships by the International Boxing Association but were cleared by the IOC to compete in Paris, where they went on to win gold medals.
Lin has since been deemed eligible to compete in women’s events under World Boxing, which will oversee the sport at the 2028 Games.
