The International Olympic Committee announced on Thursday a new eligibility policy for women's events at the Olympic Games. Starting with the Los Angeles 2028 Games, access to the women's category will be reserved for athletes considered to be... "biological women"This decision, based on a unique genetic screening focused on the SRY gene, associated with male sexual development, marks a clear break with the approach previously followed by the Olympic body.
A uniform rule after years of varying criteria depending on the federation.
Until now, the IOC had not established a universal rule and left it to international federations to define their own participation criteria. In 2021, its framework on fairness, inclusion, and non-discrimination favored a decentralized approach, which led to a patchwork of regulations across different sports. Several major federations, particularly in athletics, swimming, and rugby, had already adopted restrictions for athletes who had experienced male puberty.
A genetic test touted as unique and non-invasive
The new system will be based on a single test conducted during an athlete's career. The IOC indicates that this screening can be carried out using saliva, a buccal swab, or a blood test, with the stated objective of offering a standardized and minimally invasive method. The governing body asserts that this aims to eliminate disparities in treatment between sports and to ensure legal and sporting security for access to the women's category.
Transgender athletes directly targeted by the new policy
In practice, this new rule excludes transgender women from the Olympic women's category if the test reveals the markers used by the IOC in its definition of biological sex. It is scheduled to come into effect for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, giving federations and national committees a period of adjustment before the next Summer Olympic cycle.
The decision doesn't only target transgender athletes. It also affects certain female athletes with differences in sex development, although exceptions are mentioned, particularly for situations like Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, where the IOC deems there is no performance-enhancing benefit from testosterone. The issue of DSD athletes, already at the heart of major disputes in world athletics, could therefore return to the forefront in the coming months.
A decision that has been in preparation for several months
This announcement marks a shift initiated by the IOC under the presidency of Kirsty Coventry. At the beginning of 2026, the organization had not officially decided, even though a working group on the "Protection of the female category" was studying the possibility of widespread genetic testing. In the space of a few weeks, the IOC therefore went from a consultation phase to a decision of Olympic significance.
The IOC emphasizes fairness and sporting safety
To justify this reform, the IOC cites arguments of competitive fairness, safety, and the integrity of women's events. According to reports published on Thursday, the governing body believes that the effects of male puberty can confer lasting advantages in many sports, even after hormonal treatment. It is on this basis that it has chosen to regain control, having previously refused to impose a common doctrine on the entire Olympic movement.
