IOC introduces new rules for women’s events ahead of 2028 Olympics
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Chalien Dantes/Contributor
The International Olympic Committee has announced a major change to its eligibility rules, stating that transgender women will no longer compete in female events at the Olympic Games.
IOC president Kirsty Coventry said the decision follows guidance from scientific research and medical experts. With Olympic competition often decided by the finest of margins, the governing body concluded that allowing biological males in the female category could create an uneven playing field, and in some sports, raise safety concerns.
The ruling draws on findings from the Working Group on the Protection of the Female Category, which highlighted performance differences between males and females. As part of the updated policy, athletes will undergo a one-time SRY gene screening to determine sex, a method described as accurate and minimally invasive.
The IOC says athletes will be treated with respect throughout the process, with education, counselling, and medical support available to guide them.
The move also mirrors recent action taken in the United States, where an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump restricts transgender women and girls from participating in female sports. Transgender men, however, are not affected by the policy.
The new rules are expected to be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
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