The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made changes in policy that will change how women may qualify to compete in its events.
One result of these new rules about eligibility is that only biological females will be allowed to compete in the women’s events starting with the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
This will replace the earlier eligibility rule, which allowed for women to compete based on their testosterone count and was decided upon by each federation of sport on an individual basis.
What Has Actually Changed
Under the new framework, eligibility will be determined through a one-time genetic screening designed to detect the SRY gene, which is typically linked to male biological development.
“Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females,” the committee stated.
Read More
The IOC has described this method as the “most accurate and least intrusive” currently available, with testing done through saliva, cheek swabs, or blood samples.
Athletes who test negative will remain eligible for women’s events permanently. Those who test positive will not compete in the female category but can still participate in male, mixed, or open divisions.
Why the IOC Made This Decision
The move takes place after lengthy discussions of equity and inclusion within high-level sport.
The IOC said the decision was made following scientific reviews between September 2024 and March 2026 wherein experts from the fields of endocrinology, medicine and sports science all agreed that there was an inherent advantage from male biological development resulting in sustained advantages in terms of power, strength and endurance.
IOC president Kirsty Coventry explained: “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.”
How It Impacts Athletes
This policy has established a global rulebook for all Olympic competitions, which had not previously been done.
Before the introduction of this new policy, each sport governing body had its own set of eligibility requirements; some of these bodies established their own eligibility criteria with a “hormonal regulations” standard.
In other sports, there were no such requirements, as was the case in athletics, swimming and cycling.
Now, the IOC has implemented a consistent, uniform methodology across the spectrum of potential participants, regardless of their sport.
Read More
This policy must not allow an athlete to become retroactively eligible to compete at an international event. This policy primarily applies to athletes who are DSD; however, there are very few exceptions to the applicability of the ruling (i.e. CAIS).
There is also no retroactive effect of this policy; therefore, grassroots and recreational athletes are not affected.
The Debate Around the New IOC Rule
The decision has sparked strong reactions on both sides.
Supporters argue that a clear, science-based rule is necessary to ensure fairness and safety in women’s sport. They also believe a one-time genetic test could reduce ongoing scrutiny faced by athletes.
Critics, however, raise concerns about privacy, ethics, and the complexity of biological sex. Some experts have described sex testing as outdated and potentially harmful, warning about the risk of stigma and psychological impact on athletes.
There are also questions about implementation, especially in countries where such testing may conflict with existing laws.
Overall, this is a major shift in how the Olympic movement handles gender eligibility. For years, the IOC avoided imposing a universal rule, but now the approach has changed.
