IOC bans transgender athletes from participating in Olympic Games

Track and field athlete Caster Semenya from South Africa. Photo: Martin Divisek/EPA

In March 2026, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned transgender and some intersex athletes from participating in women's competitions at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, reports Sportal publication.

The IOC also announced the return of mandatory chromosomal testing for female athletes, which was used at the Olympics from 1968 to 1996. The new rules will take effect starting with the 2028 Games.

According to the decision, only individuals without the SRY gene – a DNA segment on the Y chromosome that triggers male-type development – will be allowed to compete in women's competitions. This effectively excludes transgender female athletes and some intersex participants.

The IOC stated that the new policy is aimed at ensuring fairness, safety, and integrity of women's sports and is based on scientific data and expert recommendations. At the same time, it is not retroactive and does not affect mass sports.

Testing will be conducted using non-invasive methods – saliva analysis, swab, or blood test. Athletes with the SRY gene will be able to compete in men's or open categories, but not in women's.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the EU court obliged member states to recognize legal gender change.

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