IOC bans transgender women from female events at 2028 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a ban on transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) from competing in the female category at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and future editions.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry explained that the landmark decision was necessary because “it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category”.

As part of the new regulations, the IOC confirmed that all athletes seeking to compete in the female category at future Olympic Games will be required to undergo a one-time SRY (sex-determining region Y gene) screening to verify their biological sex. This test is typically conducted through a non-invasive cheek swab or saliva sample.

Coventry emphasised that the policy is grounded in scientific research and aimed at preserving fairness and safety in women’s sport. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition,” she said.

“The policy that we have announced is based on science and has been led by medical experts. 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.

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“Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect, and athletes will need to be screened only once in their lifetime.”

The participation of transgender and DSD athletes in women’s sport has remained a contentious issue for over a decade. In 2021, Laurel Hubbard became the first transgender woman to compete at an Olympic Games after transitioning.

Similarly, there have been notable cases involving DSD athletes, including South Africa’s Caster Semenya, a two-time Olympic 800m champion, and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, both of whom have faced scrutiny under eligibility rules.

In a detailed document outlining the policy, the IOC stated that transgender women and athletes with XY-DSD retain performance advantages associated with male puberty. It cited estimated advantages of 10–12% in running and swimming events, over 20% in throwing and jumping events, and even higher margins in sports requiring explosive power.

The IOC further explained that many XY transgender and XY-DSD athletes typically have testosterone levels within the male range and are biologically responsive to it, which can influence performance.

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According to the committee, maintaining a sex-based female category is essential to ensuring fairness, safety, and integrity in elite competition.

The organisation also described the SRY gene test as a reliable and minimally intrusive method of determining biological sex, noting that the gene remains constant throughout a person’s life.

The IOC has recommended that all international sports federations and governing bodies adopt the policy for both Summer and Winter Olympic competitions, while clarifying that it applies strictly to elite-level sport and not to grassroots or recreational participation.

Reactions to the decision have been mixed. Advocacy group Sex Matters welcomed the move, describing it as a step toward safeguarding fairness in women’s sport.

However, the organisation DSDFamilies expressed concern, arguing that while fairness is important, eligibility rules must also be proportionate and sensitive to the rights and wellbeing of affected athletes.