Trending Now - IOC Restricts Transgender Women From Competing in Women's Events
WHO:
Kirsty Coventry, IOC President, stated, "As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition."
Imane Khelif, boxer, stated, "I'm a girl - and I'll take a sex test."
Emma Hilton, interim chair of the charity Sex Matters, expressed support for the IOC's decision.
Kirsty Coventry, IOC President, stated, "As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition."
Reem Alsalem, U.N. rapporteur on violence against women, compiled a report titled "Violence against women and girls in sports."
Dr. Stéphane Bermon, head of the World Athletics Health and Science Department, led a panel presentation in Tokyo.
Kirsty Coventry, IOC President, stated, "As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition."
Reem Alsalem, U.N. rapporteur on violence against women, compiled a report titled "Violence against women and girls in sports."
Dr. Stéphane Bermon, head of the World Athletics Health and Science Department, led a panel presentation in Tokyo.
Kirsty Coventry, IOC President, stated, "As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition."
Reem Alsalem, U.N. rapporteur on violence against women, compiled a report titled "Violence against women and girls in sports."
Dr. Stéphane Bermon, head of the World Athletics Health and Science Department, led a panel presentation in Tokyo.
Kirsty Coventry, IOC President, stated, "As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition."
Reem Alsalem, U.N. rapporteur on violence against women, compiled a report titled "Violence against women and girls in sports."
Kirsty Coventry, IOC President, stated, "As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition."
Dr. Stéphane Bermon, head of the World Athletics Health and Science Department, led a panel presentation in Tokyo.
Kirsty Coventry, IOC President, stated, "As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition."
Dr. Stéphane Bermon, head of the World Athletics Health and Science Department, led a panel presentation in Tokyo.
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Kirsty Coventry, IOC President
U.S. President Donald Trump
Kaillie Humphries, U.S. Olympic bobsledding star
Caster Semenya, two-time Olympic champion runner
Dr. Stéphane Bermon, head of the World Athletics Health and Science Department
Reem Alsalem, U.N. rapporteur on violence against women
WHAT:
The IOC's new policy states that eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one-time SRY gene screening.
The IOC's document details that there is a 10-12% male performance advantage in most running and swimming events, a 20+% male performance advantage in most throwing and jumping events, and that the male performance advantage can exceed 100% in explosive power events.
The IOC confirmed that the SRY screening can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample.
The IOC's new eligibility policy excludes transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) from the female category of events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and future Games.
The IOC's document states that there is a 10-12% male performance advantage in most running and swimming events, a 20+% male performance advantage in most throwing and jumping events, and that the male performance advantage can exceed 100% in explosive power events.
The IOC's policy applies to elite individual and team sports.
The IOC's new eligibility policy aligns with U.S. President Trump's executive order on women's sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The IOC's policy is described as "evidence-based and expert-informed."
The IOC stated that the policy is "not retroactive and does not apply to any grassroots or recreational sports programs."
The IOC's new policy excludes transgender women from all women's competitions, not just Olympic events.
The IOC's document states that males experience three significant testosterone peaks that contribute to performance advantages.
The IOC's policy also restricts female athletes with differences in sex development (DSD).
The IOC published a 10-page policy document detailing the new rules.
The IOC stated that no woman who transitioned from being born male competed at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.
The IOC reported that 50 to 60 athletes with male biological advantages have been finalists in the female category at global and continental championships since 2000.
The U.N. reported that nearly 900 biological females have missed out on medals due to competition with transgender athletes.
The IOC's new policy excludes transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) from the female category of events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and future Games.
The IOC's document states that there is a 10-12% male performance advantage in most running and swimming events, a 20+% male performance advantage in most throwing and jumping events, and that the male performance advantage can exceed 100% in explosive power events.
The IOC's policy applies to elite individual and team sports.
The IOC's new eligibility policy aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order on women's sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The IOC's policy is described as "evidence-based and expert-informed."
The IOC stated that the policy is "not retroactive and does not apply to any grassroots or recreational sports programs."
The IOC's new policy excludes transgender women from all women's competitions, not just Olympic events.
The IOC's document states that males experience three significant testosterone peaks that contribute to performance advantages.
The IOC's policy also restricts female athletes with differences in sex development (DSD).
The IOC published a 10-page policy document detailing the new rules.
The IOC stated that no woman who transitioned from being born male competed at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.
The IOC reported that 50 to 60 athletes with male biological advantages have been finalists in the female category at global and continental championships since 2000.
The U.N. reported that nearly 900 biological females have missed out on medals due to competition with transgender athletes.
The IOC's new policy excludes transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) from the female category of events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and future Games.
The IOC's document states that there is a 10-12% male performance advantage in most running and swimming events, a 20+% male performance advantage in most throwing and jumping events, and that the male performance advantage can exceed 100% in explosive power events.
The IOC's policy applies to elite individual and team sports.
The IOC's new eligibility policy aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order on women's sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The IOC's policy is described as "evidence-based and expert-informed."
The IOC stated that the policy is "not retroactive and does not apply to any grassroots or recreational sports programs."
The IOC's new policy excludes transgender women from all women's competitions, not just Olympic events.
The IOC's document states that males experience three significant testosterone peaks that contribute to performance advantages.
The IOC's policy also restricts female athletes with differences in sex development (DSD).
The IOC published a 10-page policy document detailing the new rules.
The IOC stated that no woman who transitioned from being born male competed at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.
The IOC reported that 50 to 60 athletes with male biological advantages have been finalists in the female category at global and continental championships since 2000.
The U.N. reported that nearly 900 biological females have missed out on medals due to competition with transgender athletes.
The IOC's new policy excludes transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) from the female category of events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and future Games.
The IOC's document states that there is a 10-12% male performance advantage in most running and swimming events, a 20+% male performance advantage in most throwing and jumping events, and that the male performance advantage can exceed 100% in explosive power events.
The IOC's policy applies to elite individual and team sports.
The IOC's new eligibility policy aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order on women's sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The IOC's policy is described as "evidence-based and expert-informed."
The IOC stated that the policy is "not retroactive and does not apply to any grassroots or recreational sports programs."
The IOC's new policy excludes transgender women from all women's competitions, not just Olympic events.
The IOC's policy is described as "evidence-based and expert-informed."
The IOC's document states that males experience three significant testosterone peaks that contribute to performance advantages.
The IOC announced a new eligibility policy excluding transgender women from competing in women's events.
Eligibility for female category events is now limited to biological females, determined by a one-time SRY gene screening.
The policy will apply from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games onwards.
The IOC's policy also restricts female athletes with differences in sex development (DSD).
The IOC published a 10-page policy document detailing the new rules.
The IOC stated that no woman who transitioned from being born male competed at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.
The IOC reported that 50 to 60 athletes with male biological advantages have been finalists in the female category at global and continental championships since 2000.
The U.N. reported that nearly 900 biological females have missed out on medals due to competition with transgender athletes.
WHERE:
Lausanne, Switzerland (location of the IOC announcement)
Los Angeles, California (location of the 2028 Olympic Games)
Tokyo, Japan (location of the World Athletics panel presentation)
WHEN:
The IOC's new eligibility policy was announced on March 26th, 2026.
The policy will be effective from July 2028.
The IOC's new eligibility policy was announced on March 26th, 2026.
The IOC's review of "protecting the female category" began in June 2025.
The policy will be effective from July 2028.
The U.N. report was referenced as being compiled as of March 30th, 2026.
The IOC's new eligibility policy was announced on March 26th, 2026.
The IOC's review of "protecting the female category" began in June 2025.
The policy will be effective from July 2028.
The U.N. report was referenced as being compiled as of March 30th, 2026.
The IOC's new eligibility policy was announced on March 26th, 2026.
The IOC's review of "protecting the female category" began in June 2025.
The policy will be effective from July 2028.
The U.N. report was referenced as being compiled as of March 30th, 2026.
The IOC's new eligibility policy was announced on March 26th, 2026.
The IOC's review of "protecting the female category" began in June 2025.
The IOC announced the new policy on March 26th, 2026.
The policy will be effective from July 2028.
The IOC's review of "protecting the female category" began in June 2025.
The U.N. report was referenced as being compiled as of March 30th, 2026.
WHY:
The IOC aims to protect fairness, safety, and integrity in the female category of sports, as stated in their announcement.
The IOC aims to ensure "equal opportunities for female athletes in finals, on podiums and in championships."
The IOC aims to protect fairness, safety, and integrity in the female category of sports.
The policy was developed based on consultations with a panel of experts to ensure equal opportunity for women in sport.
The IOC's decision is guided by the belief that providing for a female category is necessary for equal access to elite sport.
The IOC aims to ensure "equal opportunities for female athletes in finals, on podiums and in championships."
The IOC aims to protect fairness, safety, and integrity in the female category of sports.
The policy was developed based on consultations with a panel of experts to ensure equal opportunity for women in sport.
The IOC's decision is guided by the belief that providing for a female category is necessary for equal access to elite sport.
The IOC aims to ensure "equal opportunities for female athletes in finals, on podiums and in championships."
The IOC aims to ensure "equal opportunities for female athletes in finals, on podiums and in championships."
The IOC aims to protect fairness, safety, and integrity in the female category of sports.
The policy was developed based on consultations with a panel of experts to ensure equal opportunity for women in sport.
The IOC's decision is guided by the belief that providing for a female category is necessary for equal access to elite sport.
HOW:
The biological sex of competitors will be verified through a one-time SRY gene screening, which can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample.
The one-time SRY gene screening can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample, as stated in the IOC's announcement.
The biological sex of competitors will be verified through a one-time SRY gene screening, which can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample.
The IOC's policy is evidence-based and informed by medical experts.
The one-time SRY gene screening can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample, as stated in the IOC's announcement.
The biological sex of competitors will be verified through a one-time SRY gene screening, which can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample.
The IOC's policy is evidence-based and informed by medical experts.
The one-time SRY gene screening can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample, as stated in the IOC's announcement.
The biological sex of competitors will be verified through a one-time SRY gene screening, which can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample.
The IOC's policy is evidence-based and informed by medical experts.
The one-time SRY gene screening can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample, as stated in the IOC's announcement.
The one-time SRY gene screening can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample, as stated in the IOC's announcement.
The one-time SRY gene screening can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample, as stated in the IOC's announcement.
The biological sex of competitors will be verified through a one-time SRY gene screening, which can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample.
The IOC's policy is evidence-based and informed by medical experts.
(UPDATED March 27, 2026 11:12 UTC)
The International Olympic Committee announced a new eligibility policy on March 26, 2026, stating that only biological females will be allowed to compete in female category events, determined through a one-time SRY gene screening. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized the importance of fair competition for all Olympians, while boxer Imane Khelif expressed her willingness to undergo the required sex test. The policy, which aims to ensure fairness, safety, and integrity in women's sports, will take effect in July 2028.
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(UPDATED March 27, 2026 03:51 UTC)
On March 26, the IOC announced a new eligibility policy that excludes transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development from the female category of events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and future Games. This decision, which aims to protect fairness and integrity in women's sports, is supported by a report from the U.N. that highlights nearly 900 biological females who have missed out on medals due to competition with transgender athletes. The policy, described as evidence-based and expert-informed, will take effect in July 2028 and includes a one-time SRY gene screening to verify the biological sex of competitors.
--
(UPDATED March 27, 2026 01:21 UTC)
The International Olympic Committee announced a new eligibility policy on March 26, 2026, which excludes transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development from the female category of events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and future Games. This policy, described as evidence-based and expert-informed, highlights a significant male performance advantage in various sports and will be effective from July 2028, while also applying to elite individual and team sports. Additionally, the U.N. rapporteur on violence against women recently compiled a report indicating that nearly 900 biological females have missed out on medals due to competition with transgender athletes.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 23:07 UTC)
The International Olympic Committee announced a new eligibility policy on March 26, 2026, which excludes transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development from competing in the female category at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and future Games. This policy, described as "evidence-based and expert-informed," aims to ensure fairness and integrity in women's sports by addressing performance advantages linked to biological sex, with the IOC stating that males can have significant advantages in various athletic events. Additionally, the policy will not apply retroactively and is focused solely on elite individual and team sports, while grassroots and recreational programs remain unaffected.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 21:07 UTC)
On March 26, 2026, the International Olympic Committee announced a new eligibility policy that excludes transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development from the female category of events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and future Games. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized the importance of fair competition for all Olympians, while a report by U.N. rapporteur Reem Alsalem highlighted violence against women and girls in sports. The IOC's document notes significant male performance advantages in various athletic events, with the screening for the one-time SRY gene to be conducted through saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 19:21 UTC)
Kirsty Coventry, the IOC President, emphasized the importance of fair competition for all Olympians, while Dr. Stéphane Bermon led a panel presentation in Tokyo discussing the IOC's new eligibility policy. This policy aligns with President Trump's executive order on women's sports and aims to ensure equal opportunities for female athletes, although it is not retroactive and does not affect grassroots or recreational sports. The IOC's review of protecting the female category began in June 2025, and the one-time SRY gene screening can be done through saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample.
--
(UPDATED March 26, 2026 17:22 UTC)
The International Olympic Committee has announced a new policy that excludes transgender women from all women's competitions, a decision described as "evidence-based and expert-informed." Kirsty Coventry, the IOC President, emphasized the importance of fair competition for all Olympians, while Dr. Stéphane Bermon led a panel presentation in Tokyo discussing the implications of this policy. The IOC aims to ensure equal opportunities for female athletes by implementing a one-time SRY gene screening that can be conducted through saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample.
--
(UPDATED March 26, 2026 15:21 UTC)
The International Olympic Committee announced a new eligibility policy today that excludes transgender women from competing in women's events, limiting eligibility to biological females determined by a one-time SRY gene screening. This policy, which will take effect from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, also restricts female athletes with differences in sex development and aims to protect fairness and integrity in women's sports. The IOC's decision follows consultations with experts and highlights that no woman who transitioned from being born male will compete at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.