Biological males are now ineligible to compete in female Olympic events, even if they “identify” as females or undergo gender surgery, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Thursday.
The new policy, which is not retroactive, is science-based and implemented in order to ensure fairness in Olympic competition, the IOC explains:
“Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one‑time SRY gene screening.
“Evidence‑based and expert‑informed, the policy – applicable for the LA28 Olympic Games onwards – protects fairness, safety and integrity in the female category.”
“The working group reviewed the latest scientific evidence, including developments since 2021, and reached a clear consensus,” the IOC reports:
“Male sex provides a performance advantage in all sports and events that rely on strength, power and endurance.”
The test is intended to be a once-in-a-lifetime screening. Athletes with rare differences or disorders in sex development are exempted from the restriction.
“At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry, a former athlete, says in a video announcing the new policy. “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,” Coventry explained.
The IOC also instructs other sports governing organizations that implement Olympic eligibility rules to adopt the new policy.
