IOC To Restrict Women’s Olympic Category To Biological Females From 2028

IOC to restrict women’s Olympic category to biological females from 2028 The International Olympic Committee has announced a major change to eligibility rules for women’s events at the Olympic Games, stating that only biological females will be allowed to compete from the 2028 Games in Los Angel
Under the new policy, all athletes wishing to compete in women’s categories will be required to undergo a one-time genetic test to determine their biological sex. The test will screen for the SRY gene, which is linked to male sex development.
Athletes who test positive for the gene will not be eligible for female events but may compete in male, mixed, or open categories. The rule will apply to the Olympics, Youth Olympics, and qualification events. The IOC said the decision followed an 18 month consultation process aimed at creating a consistent global standard across all sports. IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated that the policy is based on fairness and safety in competition, arguing that biological males may retain physical advantages even after transitioning. The committee said that in elite sport, even small physical differences can determine outcomes, making it necessary to protect the integrity of the women’s category. Excludes transgender women from competing in women’s Olympic events May also affect some athletes with differences in sex development (DSD), except in rare cases where no competitive advantage is present Supporters say it protects fairness in women’s sports Critics, including some athletes and advocacy groups, argue it is discriminatory and not fully supported by scientific evidence Human rights organisations have also raised concerns about the return of genetic testing in sport, warning it could lead to stigma and privacy issues. The policy will come into force at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and will not apply retroactively or to grassroots sports.