IOC Approves New Eligibility Policy for Transgender Athletes Ahead of 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has implemented a new eligibility policy for transgender women athletes, effective with the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The policy centers on a mandatory genetics test to determine eligibility for women’s competition, marking a shift from previous guidelines where individual sports federations set their own rules with IOC recommendations.
Genetic Testing to Determine Eligibility
Under the new policy, athletes will be screened through a saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample to assess the presence of the SRY gene. The IOC states that the presence of this gene indicates male sex development. Athletes who test negative for the SRY gene will be eligible to compete in women’s sports. The SRY gene, found on the Y chromosome, plays a key role in testis formation, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Shift from Previous Guidelines
Previously, individual sports federations, including those for track and field, boxing, swimming, and rugby, determined the eligibility of transgender athletes. The IOC provided recommendations but did not enforce a uniform standard. The new policy aims to create a consistent framework across all Olympic sports.
Scientific Basis for the Policy
The IOC Executive Board approved the policy after an 18-month study. Jane Thornton, the IOC medical and scientific director, presented findings to the board last year indicating that transgender athletes born with male sexual markers may retain physical advantages even after testosterone-reducing treatment. This research informed the decision to base eligibility on genetic markers.
Alignment with World Athletics
The IOC’s policy mirrors guidelines approved in June by the World Athletics Council, which also uses screening for the SRY gene to determine eligibility for the female category.
Reaction and Political Context
Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected president of the IOC, campaigned on the importance of protecting the women’s category and stated that even small margins of advantage are significant in Olympic competition. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat,” Coventry said in a statement. “So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.”
The new policy aligns with a recent executive order from President Trump banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s or girls’ sporting events in the United States. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed support for the IOC’s decision, stating, “You cannot change your sex,” on X. “President Trump’s Executive Order protecting women’s sports made this happen!”
Further Information
For more information about the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, visit the following websites:
- LA28 – Olympic Games
- Los Angeles Organizing Committee
- LA 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games – COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES