The International Olympic Committee has announced that transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) will be banned from competing in the female category at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and all future Games. The decision, described as landmark, was confirmed by IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who stated that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.
Under the new policy, all athletes wishing to compete in the female category must undergo a one-off SRY gene screening, typically via a cheek swab or saliva test, to determine their biological sex. The IOC said the policy is based on scientific evidence and aims to protect fairness and safety in women's sport. Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer, emphasised that even small margins can decide victory and defeat, and that in some sports, it would simply not be safe for biological males to compete.
The IOC's 10-page document outlines that transgender women who have gone through male puberty retain a significant performance advantage, citing a 10-12% advantage in running and swimming events, and over 20% in throwing and jumping events. The policy applies to elite individual and team sports, but not to grassroots or recreational programmes.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions. The charity Sex Matters welcomed the move, with interim chair Emma Hilton calling it a return of female sport to female athletes. However, Dsdfamilies expressed disappointment, warning that the rules could cause harm to a vulnerable minority group and should be aligned with contemporary DSD care standards.
