IOC bans transgender athletes from women’s category in landmark policy shift
IOC bans transgender athletes from women’s category in landmark policy shift
By Nawaz Gohar ; In a significant policy reversal, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the world’s leading sports governing body, has announced that only biological women will be permitted to compete in the women’s category at future Olympic events.
According to the IOC, transgender athletes will no longer be allowed to participate in women’s competitions. Previously, such participation was permitted subject to the approval of individual sports federations; however, the new regulations will completely replace that policy.
This decision follows an intensive 18-month consultative process. The new rules will apply to the Olympic Games, Youth Olympics, and all official qualifying events. It is widely expected that global sports federations will align their own regulations with these new IOC standards.
Under the new framework, starting with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, all athletes wishing to compete in the women’s category must undergo SRY gene testing to verify their biological sex.
The IOC stated that its decision is rooted in scientific evidence. The presence of the SRY gene is considered definitive proof that an athlete has undergone male physical development, providing a physiological advantage that precludes them from competing in the women’s category to ensure fairness.
