The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced a decision that is already sparking global debate, as starting from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, only athletes recognized as biological women will be allowed to compete in the women's category.
The new policy, approved by the Executive Board of the organization, establishes that eligibility will be determined by a genetic test that detects the presence or absence of the SRY gene, associated with male sexual development. According to the IOC, this method is “highly accurate” and will be conducted only once in the lifetime of each athlete.
Behind the measure, the organization asserts that its goal is to ensure fairness, safety, and integrity in women's competition. "It would not be fair for biological men to compete in the women's category. Furthermore, in some sports, it simply would not be safe," stated IOC President Kirsty Coventry.
The decision, however, strikes a sensitive chord in modern sports. In recent years, the participation of transgender athletes has been one of the most controversial topics both on and off the fields, dividing opinions between those who advocate for inclusion and those who demand equal physical conditions in competition.
The IOC clarifies that athletes who do not meet the criteria for the women's category will not be excluded from the sport; they will be able to compete in male, mixed, or open categories, as long as they meet the relevant requirements.
Although the policy will not be retroactive nor will it affect recreational sports programs, it marks a profound change in the way female participation in high performance is defined. For many athletes, especially those who have fought for visibility and opportunities for years, the measure comes as a form of protection. For others, it opens a new chapter of uncertainty and controversy.
With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, the debate is just beginning.
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