The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new eligibility policy for women’s events, effective from the 2028 Los Angeles games. The ruling prevents transgender women from competing in the female category.
The IOC’s decision, made after a vote by its executives, also includes the reintroduction of gender testing – a practice not used since 1999. This will impact women with certain rare medical conditions, previously known as intersex athletes.
France’s Sports Minister has criticized the move, calling it a “step backwards” and raising concerns regarding ethical, legal, and scientific implications. The minister stated the genetic testing could unfairly disqualify athletes with differences in sexual development.
The new policy defines eligibility based on being ‘biological females’, effectively excluding transgender women athletes from female events at the Olympics.