IOC Sets New Eligibility Rules: Transgender Athletes Excluded from Women's Events for 2028 Olympics

New Eligibility Standards for Female Competition

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has formally declared a shift in its participation guidelines, confirming that transgender athletes will be prohibited from competing in women's events at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and all subsequent Games. The committee states that the women's category will henceforth be restricted exclusively to “biological females.”

IOC president Kirsty Coventry emphasized that the decision was anchored in scientific evidence and aimed at protecting the interests of the athletes. The governing body maintains that these adjustments prioritize the integrity and fairness of women’s sports on the global stage.

Implementation of SRY Gene Screening

To enforce this mandate, the IOC will implement a diagnostic screening process designed to identify the SRY gene, which is located on the Y chromosome. According to the committee, this gene serves as a definitive marker of male-typical sex development. The screening process will involve:

• Collection of samples via saliva, blood, or cheek swabs.
• A singular, lifetime testing requirement, barring any evidence suggesting an error in the initial result.

Any athlete who does not test positive for the SRY gene will be cleared to participate in the women’s category.

Exceptions and Alternative Participation

The policy does include specific exemptions. Individuals diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or other rare disorders of sex development (DSDs) may still compete in the women's category, provided they do not derive performance advantages from testosterone. Furthermore, the IOC clarified that individuals testing positive for the SRY gene remain eligible to compete in:

• The men’s category.
• Mixed-gender events, filling the designated male positions.
• Any sports category where gender classification is not a requirement.

Development and Scope of the Policy

In developing these rules, the IOC noted that it consulted with various field experts, reviewed existing regulatory frameworks, and gathered feedback from international federations and athletes. The consensus from these consultations was that the women's division requires “clear, science-based eligibility rules” to ensure equality and inspiration within the Olympic movement.

The IOC has recommended that national federations and other sports governing bodies adopt these standards, though they explicitly stated the policy is not intended for application within grassroots or recreational sporting programs. While the practical impact of this decision on the 2028 Games remains to be seen, it is worth noting that no transgender women who transitioned from male competed during the 2024 Paris Olympics.