The International Olympic Committee has banned transgender women from female Olympic events, effective at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. The policy, approved Thursday, restricts eligibility to biological females, verified by a one-time gene test.
The decision follows global debate after the Paris 2024 and Milano-Cortina 2026 Games, with officials citing fairness, safety, and integrity. IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated that biological males retain physical advantages in strength, power, and endurance due to developmental testosterone exposure.
The new rules also affect female athletes with differences in sex development (DSD), including champions like Caster Semenya. However, the policy does not apply retroactively or to grassroots sports.
US President Donald Trump praised the move, claiming credit via an executive order banning transgender athletes in US sports and directing DHS to block visa applications for male-born athletes identifying as women.
The policy may face legal challenges at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. Previous cases involved Dutee Chand and Caster Semenya, who contested sex eligibility rules. Scientific evidence supporting the IOC’s decision was not publicly released.