The International Olympic Committee Announces Ban Of Transgender Women Athletes

'Eligibility for any female category is limited to biological females.'

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recently announced a policy that affects transgender women athletes, stating that “eligibility for any female category is limited to biological females.”

The new policy was handed down by the IOC Executive Board, stating that it will take effect at the upcoming LA28 Olympic Games (in Los Angeles in 2028).

“As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry in a written statement. “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.”

“Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect, and athletes will need to be screened only once in their lifetime. There must be clear education around the process and counseling available, alongside expert medical advice.”

There will be a once-in-a-lifetime SRY gene (Sex-determining Region Y) screening test to detect its presence or absence. The IOC considers the presence of the SRY gene to be with us throughout life and “represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced male sex development.”

The screening will include a saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene will satisfy the eligibility criteria in the female category. This policy, based on evidence and experts’ input, protects fairness, safety, and integrity in the female category.

The Associated Press reported that the White House hailed the IOC’s decision. Last year, President Donald Trump issued the executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” He stated that the United States would deny visas to some athletes who would fall under the transgender category, who are trying to compete at the 2028 Olympics. Several months after the order, the U.S. Olympic body updated its guidance, saying it had done so to comply with the White House.

“The IOC aligning their policy with President Trump’s executive order ahead of the 2028 LA Games is common sense and long overdue,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a written statement.