Starting in 2028, participation in women's events at the Olympic Games and other events organized under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will only be permitted for those female athletes who have undergone a genetic test confirming their sex.
Kirsty Coventry, head of the IOC, emphasized: "As a former athlete, I support the right of all Olympians to compete fairly. Our policy is based on scientific data and is developed with the involvement of medical professionals. Even a minimal advantage can be decisive at the Olympic Games. Allowing biological males to compete in the women's category would be unfair and, in some cases, unsafe."
For anyone wishing to compete in the women's category at the Olympic Games, passing a test for the SRY gene (Sex-determining Region Y), which is located on the Y chromosome and is responsible for the development of male characteristics, will become mandatory. This test is typically conducted using a swab from inside the cheek.
The IOC's statement indicates that the presence of the SRY gene will be recorded throughout the athlete's life and serves as reliable evidence of male development.
According to BBC Sports, the IOC previously allowed individual sports federations to make decisions regarding the admission of transgender athletes.
In March 2023, the World Athletics governing body decided to ban transgender women from competing in major women's competitions if their transition occurred after male puberty. Previously, such athletes could compete while maintaining testosterone levels below 2.5 nanomoles per liter for two years. Starting in September 2025, genetic testing requirements will come into effect for participants in women's competitions.
