The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a policy excluding transgender women from women's categories at all its events starting with the 2028 Olympic Games. IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated the decision is based on science to ensure fairness, safety and integrity. The move reverses earlier inclusivity approaches seen at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The IOC's new policy defines eligibility for the women's category as athletes born with XX chromosomes and without the SRY gene, which determines male sex development. This shift prioritizes fairness, safety and integrity, according to the organisation.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who campaigned on this issue, explained: "The policy we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts, with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear. Male chromosomes give performance advantage in sports that rely on strength, power or endurance."
She highlighted advantages of 10-12% for males in running and swimming, over 20% in throwing and jumping, and more than 100% in explosive power events like rugby and combat sports. Coventry added that athletes will be screened once in their lifetime using a non-intrusive SRY gene test, such as from saliva or blood, with counselling provided.
The policy contrasts with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where New Zealand's Laurel Hubbard became the first transgender athlete to compete, though she did not medal in weightlifting. Critics had argued her participation displaced another athlete.
Sports scientist Ross Tucker noted on a podcast: "What was happening before was that relatively mediocre males were entering women’s sports... The retention of male advantage was inevitable."
The policy also affects athletes with Differences in Sex Development (DSD), such as South Africa's Caster Semenya, who may test positive for the SRY gene and face further checks.
Human rights groups and the United Nations have criticised the decision, stating it risks violating principles of equality and non-discrimination under international law.
