In a historic announcement that marks a before and after in Olympism, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) established that, starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, only athletes who are biological women will be able to compete in the women’s categories.
The measure seeks to put an end to the controversies generated by the participation of athletes with male advantages in women’s sports. According to the official IOC statement, the new standard is based on the detection of the SRY gene, present only on the Y chromosome and considered a “fixed throughout life” and “highly accurate” proof that an athlete has experienced male sexual development.
To verify compliance, a simple genetic test will be performed by extracting saliva or blood, which must be negative in the case of female competitors.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry justified the decision with scientific and fairness arguments: “This measure is based on science and has been developed by medical experts. It is unfair, and in some sports it is not safe, for men to compete against women,” she said.
Limited exceptions and category reassignment
The rule provides for “rare exceptions” for athletes diagnosed with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) or other differences in sexual development (DSD) who do not obtain an advantage derived from the effects of testosterone on performance.
On the contrary, transgender athletes and those with disorders of sexual development who are sensitive to androgens will have to compete in the men’s category starting in 2028.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who won the gold medal in the welterweight category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has reacted to the announcement. Khelif, who was disqualified from the 2023 World Cup for failing to pass the International Boxing Federation’s gender eligibility tests, was willing to undergo the necessary tests to be able to compete in Los Angeles 2028.
“I will take whatever tests are necessary,” declared the athlete, defending her previous participation.
Context of the controversy
This decision comes after years of controversy and especially after the “embarrassment” experienced in women’s boxing at Paris 2024. Both Imane Khelif (Algeria) and Taiwanese Lin Yu-ting were crowned Olympic champions after having previously been disqualified by the International Boxing Federation for failing gender eligibility tests.
The IOC emphasizes that the new policy’s main objective is to protect the fairness, safety and integrity of the women’s category in all Olympic disciplines, both in individual and team events.
The measure represents a significant shift from previous, more permissive policies and responds to growing demands from sports federations, female athletes and organizations advocating the preservation of women’s sport as a separate category based on biological sex.
With this rule, the IOC seeks to close a chapter of intense debates and set a clear precedent for future Olympic cycles.
