On Thursday, the International Olympic Committee announced a sweeping new rule that will bar transgender women from competing in female-category events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and all future Games. The newly approved policy restricts participation in the female category strictly to biological females, determined through a mandatory, one-time SRY gene screening. In addition to excluding transgender women, the updated regulations also bar athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) from competing in female-category events.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated that the decision was guided by science and medical experts, emphasizing that the measure is necessary to safeguard the fairness, safety, and integrity of women's sports. Coventry noted that even the smallest margins at the Olympic Games can determine victory and defeat, and argued that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.
The policy, detailed in a 10-page document released following an executive board meeting, applies to elite individual and team sports at the Olympic level. However, officials clarified that the screening requirement is not retroactive and will not impact recreational or grassroots sports. The move also aligns with a U.S. executive order concerning women's sports ahead of the upcoming Los Angeles Games.
