The International Olympic Committee has introduced a new policy barring transgender women from competing in female categories at the Olympic Games, beginning with the 2028 Summer Olympics and continuing in future editions. Under the updated rules, participation in women’s events will be restricted to athletes classified as biological females. The decision does not apply retroactively and won’t affect grassroots or recreational sports programs.
In explaining the change, the IOC stated, “The policy explains that, for all disciplines on the sports program of an IOC event, including the Olympic Games and for both individual and team sports, eligibility for any female category is limited to biological females.” Officials described the approach as “evidence-based and expert-informed,” adding that it aims to “protects fairness, safety and integrity in the female category.” Eligibility will now be determined through a one-time screening for the SRY gene, a genetic marker linked to male biological development. Testing may be conducted using saliva, cheek swabs, or blood samples and is intended to be a “once-in-a-lifetime” requirement.
Athletes who do not show the SRY gene will permanently qualify for women’s competition. Those who test positive will be excluded from female categories but may still compete in men’s divisions, mixed events, or any competitions that are not separated by sex. Certain exceptions may apply for individuals with specific differences in sex development who are not affected by performance-enhancing levels of testosterone.
The IOC said it developed the policy after consulting medical experts, reviewing existing rules across sports federations, and gathering feedback from athletes. It also encouraged other governing bodies to consider adopting similar standards, while stressing that such rules should not extend to non-elite levels of sport.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized that the policy was shaped by scientific input and athlete considerations. She said, “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition,” and added that “the policy that we have announced is based on science and has been led by medical experts.” Highlighting the competitive stakes, Coventry noted, “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”
The IOC’s move aligns with a broader trend in sports governance and follows a 2025 executive order from Donald Trump restricting transgender women’s participation in women’s sports in the United States.
The opening ceremony for the Los Angeles Games is scheduled for July 14, 2028, marking the first Olympics to operate under these new eligibility guidelines.
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