Overview
- The International Olympic Committee, which announced the change on Thursday, will limit entry to women’s Olympic events to athletes who do not carry the SRY gene.
- The screening is a once-in-a-lifetime test taken from saliva, a cheek swab, or a blood sample, and the IOC says athletes will receive education and counselling on the process.
- The policy takes effect for LA 2028, is not retroactive, and does not apply to school, community, or recreational sport programs.
- Rules also tighten for athletes with differences in sex development, with the IOC noting rare exceptions only where no performance benefit can be shown.
- The shift follows disputes around Paris 2024 boxing and earlier bans by athletics, swimming, and cycling, with some outlets stressing alignment with President Trump’s order and others focusing on the return of genetic testing and human-rights objections from more than 80 groups.