IOC Sets Genetic Test for 2028 Women's Olympic Eligibility

The International Olympic Committee announced on March 26, 2026, a new eligibility policy barring transgender women from competing in women's events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and other IOC-sanctioned competitions, requiring a one-time genetic test to verify biological female status.

The policy limits participation in female categories to athletes without the SRY gene, typically found on the Y chromosome and associated with male sex development. Eligibility will be determined through a non-invasive cheek swab, saliva sample, or blood test, conducted once in an athlete's career. The IOC stated the measure ensures fairness and safety, citing scientific consensus that male sex development provides performance advantages in strength, power, and endurance-based sports. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized the stakes, saying, "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."

This represents a shift from the IOC's 2021 framework, which delegated eligibility decisions to individual sports federations, often based on...