The Digest: The International Olympic Committee has ruled that only biological females will be allowed to compete in women's sports at the Olympics, mandating a "once-in-a-lifetime" Sex Determining Region Y gene test for all athletes seeking to participate in female events. The new policy, announced Thursday, takes full effect from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated that the decision is "based on science" and that male chromosomes give performance advantages in sports relying on strength, power, or endurance, making competition unfair and potentially unsafe.
Key Points:
- The SRY gene test detects the presence of the male Y chromosome, determining biological sex.
- The policy aligns with US President Donald Trump's February 2025 executive order banning transgender athletes from women's sports in America.
- The ruling applies to all international sports federations for IOC elite events, including Summer and Winter Olympics.
- Coventry emphasized that even the smallest margins can determine victory and defeat at the Olympic level.
- The policy will not be applied retroactively but will be in full force for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The IOC's landmark decision marks a significant shift in Olympic policy, prioritizing what it describes as fairness and safety in women's sports based on biological sex determination.
Sources: The Cable, Channels Tv
