The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new eligibility policy that will bar transgender women from competing in women’s events at future Olympic Games, starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Under the updated rules, participation in female categories will be limited to what the IOC describes as “biological females.” To determine eligibility, athletes will be required to undergo a one-time gene test, which may involve a saliva sample, cheek swab, or blood test. The screening looks for the SRY gene, typically found on the Y chromosome and linked to male sex development.
Photo: LA28
According to the IOC, the policy is intended to address concerns around fairness, safety, and competitive integrity in women’s sports. In a statement, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said that even small physical differences can significantly impact outcomes at the Olympic level, making the issue particularly sensitive in elite competition.
“As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition,” Coventry said.
The policy will not apply retroactively and does not affect grassroots or recreational sports programs. The IOC also noted that its Olympic Charter continues to recognize access to sport as a human right.
The International Olympic Committee announces new Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport.
Read: https://t.co/QcU5IVxyTi pic.twitter.com/3brHorx1k8
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) March 26, 2026
“The policy that we have announced is based on science and has been led by medical experts. 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,” Coventry explained.
“Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect, and athletes will need to be screened only once in their lifetime,” she added.
It remains unclear how many transgender women are currently competing at an Olympic level. No openly transgender woman competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, although New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard previously qualified for the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Alongside transgender participation, the new rules also cover some athletes with differences in sex development (DSD), including cases like South African runner Caster Semenya. These athletes have previously challenged similar regulations in court, and the IOC acknowledged that the updated policy could face further legal review, potentially through the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The IOC said its decision is based on research suggesting that individuals assigned male at birth may retain certain physical advantages, particularly in sports that rely on strength, endurance, and power. However, the policy and the required testing are expected to draw scrutiny from human rights groups and advocacy organizations.
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