Transgender women athletes banned from female events at Olympics by IOC

The International Olympic Committee has banned transgender women and DSD athletes from the female category of events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and future Games. Kirsty Coventry, president of the IOC, said: “It would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.”

The IOC has also confirmed that all athletes wanting to compete in the female category at future Olympics will have to undergo a one-off SRY (sex determining region Y gene) gene screening to detect their biological sex. Usually that is done via a non-intrusive cheek-swab or saliva test.

Coventry said the decision, which applies to elite individual and team sports, was based on science and would protect the fairness and safety of women’s sport. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.

“The policy that we have announced is based on science and has been led by medical experts. At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.

“Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect, and athletes will need to be screened only once in their lifetime. There must be clear education around the process and counselling available, alongside expert medical advice.”

Sports have been wrestling with the issue of transgender and DSD (differences in sex development) participation in the female category for more than a decade.