The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Thursday that only biological females would compete in women’s sports at the Olympics. The committee issued the policy in a statement that marked a significant shift in eligibility rules.
New Screening Requirements
The IOC introduced a one-time SRY gene screening to determine eligibility for the female category. Athletes who tested negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfied the eligibility criteria. The screening could be conducted via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample.
The SRY gene, a segment of DNA typically found on the Y chromosome, initiates male sex development. The IOC considered this method the most accurate and least intrusive option currently available.
Policy Scope and Exceptions
The policy applied to all disciplines on the sports programme of an IOC event, including the Olympic Games and both individual and team sports. It took effect for the LA28 Olympic Games onwards and was not retroactive.
Athletes with an SRY-positive screen, including XY transgender and androgen-sensitive XY-DSD athletes, remained eligible for any male category, mixed category male slots, open categories, or sports that did not classify athletes by sex. However, the policy made an exception for athletes with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or other rare differences in sex development who did not benefit from testosterone’s performance-enhancing effects.
IOC Leadership Statement
Kirsty Coventry, IOC President, addressed the policy announcement. She stated, “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition. The policy that we have announced is based on science and has been led by medical experts.”
She continued, “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.”
Furthermore, Coventry emphasized athlete welfare. She added, “Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect, and athletes will need to be screened only once in their lifetime. There must be clear education around the process and counselling available, alongside expert medical advice.”
Development Process
The IOC conducted a review between September 2024 and March 2026. The process included consultations with experts in sports science, endocrinology, transgender medicine, sports medicine, women’s health, ethics and law. International Federation Chief Medical Officers also contributed to the working group.
Additionally, the IOC gathered athlete feedback through an online survey that received over 1,100 responses, in-depth interviews with impacted athletes, and discussions with the IOC Athletes’ Commission. The feedback revealed a strong consensus that fairness and safety in the female category required clear, science-based eligibility rules.
