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IOC bans transgender women from female Olympic events and reintroduces genetic testing
The IOC announced a policy requiring a one-time genetic test to confirm female eligibility, excluding transgender women from female category competitions at IOC events including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Mar 26th 2026 · United States
Insights
- The International Olympic Committee will use a one-time gene-screening test to determine eligibility for female events.
- Only athletes identified as biological females by the test will be allowed to compete in IOC female category events, including the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
- The rule applies to IOC events but not to recreational or grassroots sports.
- The policy is presented as a move to create a universal rule after years of fragmented standards and controversies.
- The IOC said the new rule aligns with a United States executive order by President Donald Trump on transgender women in sports.
Sources
- Olympic Committee Announces a Broad Ban of Transgender Athletes in Women’s Events www.nytimes.com
- Olympic women's sport to be for biological females only www.bbc.com
- Olympic Committee bans transgender women from female events www.dw.com
- Transgender women athletes banned from women's Olympic events by new IOC policy apnews.com
- Olympic women’s sport to be limited to biological females www.scmp.com
- Trans women banned from Olympics www.rt.com
- Transgender women athletes banned from Olympics by new IOC policy on female eligibility www.cnn.com
- Transgender women athletes banned from women's Olympic events www.cbsnews.com
- Olympic women's sport to be limited to 'biological females' www.france24.com
- Transgender women banned from competing in Olympic games www.france24.com