IOC introduces gene screening to restrict female Olympic category to biological women

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has introduced a policy requiring athletes to undergo a one-off gene test to compete in female Olympic events, limiting eligibility to biological women.

The IOC said the initiative is intended to protect the female category and establish a universal rule across elite women’s sport.

Eligibility will primarily be determined by screening for the SRY gene, which is associated with male sex development. The IOC said the presence of this gene provides highly accurate evidence of male biological development. Samples will be collected via saliva, cheek swab or blood test and are considered minimally intrusive.

Testing will be required only once. Athletes who test negative for the Sex-determining Region Y (SRY) gene will be permanently eligible for the female category. Those who test positive will not be eligible, except in rare cases such as Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS), where testosterone does not confer a performance advantage.

Athletes with an SRY-positive result, including some XY transgender individuals and those with certain differences of sexual development (DSD), may compete in male, mixed or open categories, or in sports that are not sex-classified.

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IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the policy is science-based and necessary to ensure fairness and safety, noting that even small physical advantages can affect outcomes. She emphasised that athletes would be treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.

“Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect, and athletes will need to be screened only once in their lifetime," she said. "There must be clear education around the process and counselling available, alongside expert medical advice.”

Why was the policy introduced?

The policy follows consultations by the IOC and reflects recent scientific, medical and legal developments. It is based on the principle that a female category is essential to ensure fair competition and equal opportunity in elite sport, while supporting the visibility of women athletes.

Key scientific findings

The IOC Working Group on the Protection of the Female Category reviewed the latest scientific evidence and developments since 2021 and concluded that male biology can provide advantages in strength, power and endurance. It identified SRY gene screening as the most accurate and least intrusive method currently available to verify biological sex.

How it was developed

The policy was developed between September 2024 and March 2026, with input from global experts in sports science, medicine, ethics and law. More than 1,100 athletes contributed through surveys, interviews and consultations, with most supporting clear, science-based rules to maintain fairness and safety.

Athlete welfare and implementation

The IOC said the policy prioritises dignity, privacy and wellbeing. Sports bodies will be expected to provide education, mental health support and confidential procedures, while making clear that eligibility rules do not question an athlete’s legal gender identity.

Scope of policy

The policy applies only to IOC events and is intended for adoption by international federations and other governing bodies, including national federations and continental associations. It replaces previous IOC guidance on gender eligibility and does not apply to grassroots or recreational sport.

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