The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved a new policy restricting eligibility for women’s categories at Olympic events to biological females, introducing mandatory SRY gene screening as the primary verification method.
The policy states that eligibility for female categories will be determined “in the first instance” through testing for the presence or absence of the SRY gene—a genetic marker typically found on the Y chromosome and associated with male sex development.
According to the IOC, the presence of the SRY gene is considered “highly accurate evidence” that an athlete has undergone male biological development.
The organisation added that screening methods, including saliva, cheek swabs, or blood samples, are minimally invasive compared to other forms of testing.
“Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the female category,” the IOC said, noting that the test is generally required only once in an athlete’s lifetime unless results are in doubt.
Under the new framework, athletes who test positive for the SRY gene will not be eligible to compete in women’s events at IOC competitions.
However, they may still participate in other classifications, including male, mixed, or open categories, provided they meet the relevant criteria.
The policy includes limited exceptions for individuals with rare conditions such as Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or certain differences in sex development (DSDs), where there is no performance advantage linked to testosterone.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry defended the policy, emphasizing fairness and safety as central considerations.“As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition,” Coventry said.
“The policy that we have announced is based on science and has been led by medical experts.”She added that biological differences can significantly influence outcomes in elite sport.
“At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe,” she said.
At the same time, Coventry stressed the importance of dignity and respect in implementing the policy.
“Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect, and athletes will need to be screened only once in their lifetime,” she noted, adding that education, counselling, and access to medical expertise would be essential.
The IOC said the policy was developed following an extensive review process conducted between September 2024 and March 2026.
This included consultations with international federations, medical experts, legal specialists, and athletes from across the world.
A dedicated working group examined the latest scientific and medical evidence, concluding that male biological characteristics confer performance advantages in sports involving strength, endurance, and power.
The group recommended sex-based classification as necessary to ensure fairness and safety, particularly in contact sports.
The review also incorporated feedback from athletes, including more than 1,100 responses to a global survey and consultations with those potentially affected by the rules.
According to the IOC, there was broad support for “clear, science-based eligibility rules” to protect the integrity of women’s competition.
The new policy replaces previous IOC guidance on gender identity and sex variations in sport and will apply specifically to Olympic-level competition.
International federations, national Olympic committees, and other governing bodies have been urged to adopt and implement the rules in their respective sports.
The IOC clarified that the policy does not apply to grassroots or recreational sports, focusing instead on elite-level competition where fairness, safety, and competitive integrity are paramount.
