By Anietie anii-bassey
In a decision set to reshape the future of international sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a sweeping new policy that will limit eligibility for the female category in Olympic competition strictly to biological females, beginning with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The policy, formally titled “Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport,” follows an extensive 18-month review process and represents a significant departure from the IOC’s previous 2021 framework, which had delegated eligibility decisions to individual international sports federations.
The new directive establishes a unified standard across all IOC-sanctioned events, signaling a more centralized and definitive approach to a highly debated issue in global athletics.
Central to the policy is the introduction of a biological eligibility requirement. Under the new rules, participation in women’s events will be restricted to athletes classified as biological females.
To enforce this, the IOC has adopted a one-time screening process focusing on the SRY gene, a genetic marker typically associated with the presence of a Y chromosome. Testing may be conducted through non-invasive methods such as saliva samples, cheek swabs, or blood tests, and is being positioned by the organization as a scientifically grounded mechanism for determining eligibility.
The policy will apply universally across both individual and team sports under IOC jurisdiction, taking effect from the Los Angeles Games in 2028. Officials have clarified that the ruling will not be applied retroactively, meaning results and participation from previous competitions will remain unaffected.
The announcement is expected to have far-reaching implications, particularly for transgender athletes and those with Differences in Sex Development (DSD). Under the new guidelines, transgender women who have undergone male puberty, as well as many DSD athletes who test positive for the SRY gene, will be excluded from competing in the female category. However, the IOC has indicated that limited exceptions may be considered in rare cases, such as athletes with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), a condition in which individuals are not responsive to testosterone and therefore do not experience its performance-related advantages.
In outlining its rationale, the IOC emphasized that biological differences linked to male development—particularly in areas such as strength, endurance, and power—create inherent competitive advantages. The organization stated that the new policy is designed to safeguard fairness, ensure athlete safety, and preserve the integrity of women’s sport at the highest level of competition.
The move comes in the wake of intense global debate surrounding gender eligibility in elite sport, a conversation that gained renewed urgency during and after the 2024 Paris Olympics. In recent years, several international federations have introduced stricter regulations, with some already incorporating genetic testing standards similar to those now adopted by the IOC.
Reactions to the announcement are expected to be mixed, with advocates on different sides of the debate expressing strong views on inclusion, fairness, and the evolving definition of competition. As preparations continue for the Los Angeles Games, the IOC’s decision is likely to remain a focal point in discussions about the balance between scientific criteria, human rights, and the future direction of global sport.
Kristy Coventry
IOC President
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