The decision, endorsed by the IOC Executive Board, will take effect from the LA28 Games onward and will not be applied retroactively to past competitions. Under the new framework, athletes wishing to compete in women’s categories at the Olympics or other IOC authorized events, including both individual and team sports, will undergo a one-time genetic test for the SRY gene. This gene, typically found on the Y chromosome, is associated with male sex development.
Athletes who test negative for the SRY gene will be permanently eligible to compete in women’s events. Testing can be performed through saliva, cheek swab, or blood samples and is intended to be done once in an athlete’s lifetime unless there is reason to question the results. Those who test positive will not be eligible for women’s events but may compete in men’s categories, mixed competitions where designated, or open divisions where applicable. Limited exceptions exist for athletes with rare conditions such as Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or other differences in sex development that do not confer performance advantages linked to testosterone.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the policy is grounded in scientific evidence and is designed to ensure fairness and safety in elite competition. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition,” Coventry said. “It would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category, and in some sports it would simply not be safe. At the same time, athletes must be treated with dignity and respect, with proper education, counselling, and medical support provided throughout the process.”
The policy follows a review conducted between September 2024 and March 2026, which included consultations with medical, legal, and ethical experts, as well as feedback from more than 1,100 athletes worldwide. A working group established in 2025 concluded that male biological characteristics can provide performance advantages in sports requiring strength, power, and endurance. The group recommended using biological sex as the basis for eligibility in women’s events and identified SRY gene testing as the most accurate and minimally intrusive method available.
Also Read: US and Iran hold talks through Pakistan amid tensions
The IOC stressed that the rules apply only to elite-level competitions under its jurisdiction and do not affect grassroots or recreational sports programs. The framework also emphasizes athlete privacy, mental health, and safeguarding. National federations and Olympic committees are encouraged to provide education and support while maintaining confidentiality throughout the screening process.
The IOC’s new policy replaces earlier guidance on gender identity and sex variations and is expected to serve as a model for international federations and other sports governing bodies when setting eligibility criteria for Olympic and related competitions.
