The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new policy barring transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympic Games.
The decision was introduced under the leadership of IOC President Kirsty Coventry, the first woman to head the organisation.
Under the new guidelines, eligibility for women’s events will be restricted to athletes classified as biological females, with a one-time genetic screening to confirm eligibility.
The IOC said the move was aimed at ensuring fairness and safety in women’s competitions, citing scientific evidence that individuals who have undergone male puberty may retain physical advantages in certain sports.
The policy is expected to take effect from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and will apply across all Olympic sports.
Previously, the IOC allowed individual sports federations to determine eligibility rules for transgender athletes, leading to variations across disciplines.
The decision has, however, sparked global debate, with reactions divided among stakeholders.
Some groups have welcomed the move as necessary to protect the integrity of women’s sports.
Others, including human rights and advocacy organisations, have criticised it as discriminatory and lacking sufficient scientific backing.
Critics also expressed concerns that the policy could affect not only transgender athletes but also individuals with differences in sex development (DSD), potentially leading to exclusion and privacy issues.
The IOC said the policy applies strictly to elite-level competition and is part of broader efforts to create a uniform framework for participation in the Olympic Games.
