The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday announced it will reintroduce gender eligibility testing for athletes competing in women’s events, a move that will take effect ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The decision means that participation in Olympic women’s sports will be restricted to biological females, effectively preventing transgender women from competing in the female category under the new rules.
According to the IOC, the policy will also exclude athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD) from competing in women’s events. The organization said the reintroduction of testing is aimed at ensuring fairness and maintaining the integrity of competition in female categories.
“The objective is to protect the fairness of women’s sport while providing clear and consistent eligibility standards,” an IOC spokesperson said.
Officials disclosed that the screening process will involve biological verification methods, including saliva samples, cheek swabs, or blood tests. “The testing methods are medically established and will be applied in a respectful and standardized manner,” the spokesperson added.
The announcement marks a significant shift from previous frameworks that allowed greater inclusion of transgender athletes under specific guidelines. However, the decision is already drawing attention from advocacy groups and stakeholders.
A sports advocacy representative said “This policy raises serious concerns about inclusion and the rights of athletes, calling for further dialogue and transparency in its implementation.
As preparations continue for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the IOC’s decision is likely to remain a focal point of international discussion. “This is a complex issue with no easy answers,but our priority remains the credibility and fairness of competition,” the IOC spokesperson noted.