New Delhi: More than 80 international organisations on Tuesday urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to drop reported plans to introduce mandatory genetic sex testing and impose a blanket ban on transgender and intersex athletes.
In a joint statement, groups including the Sport & Rights Alliance, ILGA World, and Humans of Sport said such measures would undermine gender equality and violate human rights.
The organisations cited media reports suggesting that a working group on protecting the female category had recommended universal genetic sex testing for all women athletes and a complete exclusion of transgender and intersex participants.
They said the proposal would mark a significant setback for women’s sport and reverse decades of progress.
The groups stated that mandatory sex testing would harm athletes’ privacy and dignity and expose them to unnecessary scrutiny. They said such policies could lead to medically unnecessary interventions and create safeguarding risks, especially for young athletes. They added that transgender and intersex athletes already face discrimination, harassment, and barriers to participation in sport.
According to the statement, the IOC had discontinued universal sex testing after the 1996 Olympic Games, citing scientific and ethical concerns, including its inaccuracy and harmful impact on athletes.
The organisations noted that several global bodies, including the United Nations human rights system and medical associations, have consistently opposed such testing practices, describing them as discriminatory and unethical.
They also expressed concern over the lack of transparency around the working group’s recommendations and the absence of meaningful consultation with athletes, researchers, and human rights experts.
The groups argued that enforcing genetic screening would shift focus away from key issues in sport, such as unequal funding, pay gaps, and gender-based violence.
They further warned that the proposed measures could disproportionately affect women from the Global South and women of colour, who already face higher levels of scrutiny and discrimination in international sport.
The statement also raised questions about the feasibility of implementing such testing across more than 200 countries, citing high costs and varying levels of athlete protection systems.
The organisations called on the IOC to adhere to its 2021 framework on fairness, inclusion, and non-discrimination, and to ensure that sports policies remain evidence-based and respect internationally recognised human rights.
They urged the IOC to withdraw the reported plans and uphold its commitment under the Olympic Charter to guarantee access to sport without discrimination.
