New Delhi, March 27: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made a significant announcement regarding transgender women. Starting from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and in future events, transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in women’s categories.
According to the IOC’s new policy, only biological women—those assigned female at birth—will be permitted to participate in women’s events. Athletes will need to undergo a genetic test to confirm their gender. This test can be conducted using saliva, blood samples, or cheek swabs. However, athletes who were female at birth and now identify as transgender will still be eligible to compete in women’s competitions.
IOC President Kristy Coventry stated that this decision was made to ensure fairness and safety in women’s sports. She emphasized that allowing biological males to compete in women’s categories is not appropriate.
Coventry remarked, “The policy we have announced is based on science and led by medical advisors. In the Olympic Games, even the smallest margin between winning and losing can make a difference. Therefore, it is clear that biological males competing in women’s categories is not appropriate. Additionally, in some sports, it may not be safe at all. Every athlete deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, and athletes will only need to undergo screening once in their lifetime.”
Previously, the IOC allowed transgender women to compete if their testosterone levels were reduced or left the decision to individual sports federations. However, the IOC is now advocating for a uniform policy across all sports, preventing sports organizations from creating varying rules. Many sports organizations have already imposed bans on transgender athletes.
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