The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a landmark policy restricting eligibility for female categories at the Olympic Games and all other IOC-sanctioned events to biological women only. According to a report by Xinhua, the new regulations were approved by the IOC Executive Board on Thursday and are scheduled to take effect starting from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The governing body clarified that the policy will not be applied retrospectively and will encompass all female sporting events, including both individual and team competitions.
Under this new framework, eligibility for the women’s category will be determined through a primary screening of the Sex-Determining Region Y (SRY) protein gene. This procedure is designed as a once-in-a-lifetime test conducted via saliva, cheek swabs, or blood samples to identify the presence of the male Y chromosome. The IOC is actively encouraging International Federations (IFs) and other sports governing bodies to adopt these standards when implementing eligibility rules for their respective events.
Athletes who test negative for the SRY gene will satisfy the eligibility criteria on a permanent basis. Conversely, those who test positive for the gene will be ineligible to compete in the women’s category at IOC events, with limited exceptions. These exceptions involve isolated cases where athletes are diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or rare Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) that do not result in performance-enhancing benefits from testosterone.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasised her commitment to ensuring fair competition for all Olympians, noting her own background as a former athlete. She stated that at the Olympic level, where the smallest margins often dictate the difference between victory and defeat, it is fundamentally unfair for biological males to compete in the female category. Coventry further highlighted that in certain sporting disciplines, such involvement could also pose significant safety risks to competitors.
The President added that while the policy ensures competitive integrity, every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect throughout the process, noting that the screening is required only once in an athlete’s career. This policy was developed following an extensive IOC review conducted between September 2024 and March 2026. The evaluation process involved comprehensive consultations with medical experts, various International Federations, and athletes from across the globe.
