IOC updates eligibility rules for women's category at 2028 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced new eligibility criteria for the women's category, effective from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Participation will now be determined by testing for the SRY gene, which is associated with male sexual development. Athletes who carry the SRY gene will generally be ineligible for women's events, with limited exceptions for individuals with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome or specific disorders of sex development that do not provide testosterone-related athletic advantages. This policy change applies to all IOC-sanctioned events and is not retroactive. The organization stated the move aims to ensure fairness, safety, and integrity in women's sports. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized the importance of ensuring a level playing field for all athletes. While some reports link this decision to recent United States political directives, the IOC primarily frames the measure as a return to standardized biological screening protocols similar to those utilized between 1968 and 1996.