The International Olympic Committee has approved a landmark policy excluding transgender women from female Olympic events, introducing stricter eligibility criteria ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Under the new rules, participation in women’s categories will be restricted to biological females, verified through a one-time mandatory genetic test. The decision aligns with broader political developments, including policies associated with Donald Trump, and aims to ensure fairness and integrity in competition.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized that even the smallest competitive advantages can determine outcomes at the Olympic level, stating that the policy seeks to protect fairness and safety in women’s sports.
The new framework also affects athletes with differences in sex development (DSD), including figures such as Caster Semenya, further tightening eligibility standards across female categories.
While the IOC noted that the policy is not retroactive and does not apply to grassroots or recreational sports, the move marks a significant shift from previous guidelines, where individual sports federations set their own rules.
The decision is expected to intensify global debate, balancing questions of inclusion with competitive fairness as the Olympic movement enters a new regulatory era.
Source: AfricaNews
