New Delhi: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday approved a new policy restricting participation in the female category at Olympic events to biological females. The rule will take effect from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and will not apply retrospectively.
The policy applies across all Olympic sports, covering both individual and team events. It states that eligibility for the female category will be limited to athletes who are biological females, the IOC said in a press release.
Eligibility will be determined through screening for the Sex-determining Region Y (SRY) gene, which the IOC considers a reliable biological marker of male sex development. The test can be conducted using saliva, cheek swab, or blood samples and is described as minimally intrusive.
Athletes who test negative for the SRY gene will meet the eligibility criteria permanently. Unless there is reason to question the result, the test will generally be conducted only once in an athlete’s lifetime.
The policy provides limited exceptions for athletes with specific differences in sex development, including those diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, where no performance advantage from testosterone is present.
Athletes who test positive for the SRY gene will not be eligible to compete in the female category. However, they can participate in other categories, including male, mixed, or open events, depending on qualification criteria.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the policy is grounded in scientific evidence and expert medical advice. She emphasized that fair competition is central to Olympic sport and that even small physical advantages can determine outcomes at the highest level.
She also stated that all athletes must be treated with dignity and respect, and that the policy includes provisions for education, counselling, and access to medical support to guide athletes through the process.
