IOC restricts women’s Olympic events to biological females, introduces mandatory gene testing

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new policy restricting participation in women’s events at the Olympic Games to biological females.

In a statement released on Thursday, the committee said all athletes seeking to compete in female categories will be required to undergo a one-time Sex Determining Region Y (SRY) gene test to verify eligibility.

The SRY gene test is used to detect the presence of the male Y chromosome.

According to the IOC, the policy will not be applied retroactively but will take effect from the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated that the decision was guided by scientific evidence and expert medical input.

“The scientific evidence is very clear. Male chromosomes give performance advantages in sports that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she said.

She added that in elite competitions such as the Olympics, even slight physical advantages could determine outcomes, stressing that allowing biological males in female categories would be unfair and, in some cases, unsafe.

The IOC noted that the policy will be mandatory for all international sports federations participating in Olympic events, including both Summer and Winter Games.

The move aligns with a 2025 executive order by Donald Trump, which barred transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports in the United States.