The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has unveiled a new policy on the protection of the women’s category in Olympic sports, emphasising the need for sex-based eligibility criteria to preserve fairness, safety, and integrity in competition. The policy, announced this week, comes after extensive consultations with experts, athletes, and sports governing bodies worldwide.
The new guidelines firmly establish that eligibility for female events will be determined by biological sex, with athletes required to undergo screening for the SRY gene – a segment of DNA found on the Y chromosome that signals male sex development (only males have a Y chromosome). Athletes who test negative for the gene will be eligible to compete in the female category, while those who test positive, including transgender athletes and certain athletes with differences in sex development (DSDs), will not.
This policy builds on the IOC’s 2021 Framework on Fairness, Inclusion, and Non-discrimination, which had previously provided guidance on eligibility based on gender identity and sex variations. However, the IOC says its latest decision reflects scientific and medical evidence, asserting that male athletes maintain a distinct performance advantage in strength, power, and endurance due to biological factors such as higher testosterone levels and muscle mass.
Kirsty Coventry, the Zimbabwean President of the IOC and an Olympic gold medallist in swimming, highlighted the gravity of this decision by stating, “it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.” As a former athlete herself, she emphasizes the necessity for fairness in competition, positing that all Olympic participants deserve a level playing field.
The IOC’s working group, which comprised experts from various disciplines like sports science, endocrinology, and transgender medicine, concluded that males have significant physiological advantages in numerous Olympic events. These findings stress not only performance disparities but also raise concerns regarding the safety of female athletes, particularly in contact sports, when male-bodied competitors participate.
Controversies surrounding transgender athletes and athletes with DSDs had already begun making headlines in recent Olympics. For instance, boxers Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan faced scrutiny in 2024 due to revelations about their biological sex. Given the IOC’s new ruling, both athletes would now be deemed ineligible for the female category, reflecting the committee’s commitment to maintaining a clear demarcation in competition.
By asserting that including male-bodied athletes undermines the foundational objectives of the Olympics—namely, equality and the celebration of female athleticism—the IOC aims to reinforce the integrity of women’s sports. The new policy is intended to ensure that female athletes not only have the chance to compete fairly but also the opportunity to win medals and inspire future generations.
This decision is likely to stir significant debate, especially among transgender rights advocates, who may perceive it as exclusionary. However, the IOC has made it clear that it prioritizes the integrity of female sports over concerns relating to gender identity, maintaining that fairness must prevail in athletic competition.
Scheduled to take effect at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, this policy will apply to all IOC events. Sports federations and governing bodies are charged with ensuring their eligibility rules align with the new guidelines, fostering a consistent approach across the Olympic Movement.
It’s essential to note that this ruling may not impact transgender women or individuals with DSDs competing in amateur sports. Nonetheless, discussions surrounding their participation will likely persist. Recent controversies have arisen in various local events, such as the popular Parkruns—5km runs held globally—where transgender women have been reported to achieve records in the women’s category. In response, Parkrun indicated that it classifies participants by “gender” rather than “sex.”
Different sporting bodies have enacted varied rulings. For instance, in 2025, the England and Wales Cricket Board prohibited transgender women from participating in female cricket, citing fairness and safety concerns, although these athletes may still compete in men’s or mixed teams.
The IOC’s move is poised to have a wide-ranging impact, extending to amateur sports as well. While activists may vociferously contest the ruling, it could be viewed by many as a pragmatic decision aimed at prioritizing fairness in competitive environments.