LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on March 26, 2026, a new eligibility policy that restricts participation in women’s category events at the Olympic Games and other IOC events to biological females only. The change, effective from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics onward, effectively bars transgender women (biological males who identify as women) and many athletes with differences of sex development (DSD) who possess the SRY gene from competing in female categories.
Under the policy, eligibility for any female category event — including both individual and team sports — is limited to biological females. This determination will be made through a mandatory, one-time SRY gene screening, conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample. The SRY gene (Sex-determining Region Y) is a key marker typically located on the Y chromosome and is associated with male sex development. Athletes who test positive for the SRY gene will be ineligible for the female category, though they can compete in men’s or open categories where available.
The IOC emphasized that athletes screening negative for the SRY gene will permanently satisfy the eligibility criteria for the female category, barring any evidence of testing error. Rare exceptions may apply for conditions such as Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or other DSDs where the individual does not benefit from the performance-enhancing effects of testosterone. The policy is not retroactive and does not apply to grassroots or recreational sports programs.
Rationale Behind the Policy
The IOC described the policy as “evidence-based and expert-informed,” aimed at protecting “fairness, safety, and integrity in the female category.” It cites scientific consensus that male puberty confers lasting physiological advantages — including greater muscle mass, bone density, strength, and cardiovascular capacity — that are not fully reversed by hormone suppression or transition afterward. These advantages stem from three major testosterone surges during male development: in utero, infancy, and puberty.
The new framework replaces the IOC’s 2021 Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination, which had devolved decision-making to individual international federations and permitted more flexible inclusion for transgender athletes under testosterone limits. A dedicated working group reviewed medical, scientific, and legal developments before recommending this unified approach. IOC President Kirsty Coventry highlighted that the policy prioritizes the protection of the female category, stating it is “absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.”
Alignment with Broader Trends
The decision aligns the Olympics with policies already adopted by several international federations, such as World Athletics and World Aquatics, and echoes recent U.S. executive actions emphasizing sex-based categories in women’s sports. Many observers view it as a response to ongoing debates and high-profile cases that raised concerns about competitive equity and athlete safety, particularly in strength, power, and contact sports.
No transgender women are known to have competed in women’s events at the 2024 Paris Olympics under the previous rules, though the topic has remained contentious in other elite competitions.
Reactions
The policy has drawn praise from advocates for women’s sports who argue that sex-based categories are essential to preserve opportunities and fairness for female athletes. The White House reportedly welcomed the move. Critics, including some human rights and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, have expressed concerns that the approach prioritizes biology over gender identity and could affect inclusion, while raising questions about testing logistics and impacts on DSD athletes.
The full 10-page policy document outlines the scientific basis and implementation details. Individual international federations may still set rules for their non-IOC events, but the Olympics now enforce a clear, standardized criterion centered on biological sex for the women’s category.
This represents one of the most significant shifts in Olympic eligibility in recent decades, reflecting accumulated sports science data showing typical male-female performance gaps of 10-50% or more in many disciplines.
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