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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) published a question and answer document this Friday to clarify its new policy on the participation of transgender athletes in the Olympic Games, confirming that these athletes will be able to compete, but only in the category corresponding to their biological sex.
The policy was adopted by the IOC Executive Board on March 26 and will come into effect from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, without retroactive effect.
The organization emphasizes that "transgender individuals are not excluded" from its competitions, but specifies that those who are biological males and meet the classification requirements "can only participate in the events of the men's category."
Outside of the Olympic realm, the IOC clarifies that "transgender individuals can participate in all other sports competitions available to them, just like any other athlete who does not meet Olympic qualifying requirements."
Eligibility for the female category will be determined through a screening test for the SRY gene, which is present exclusively in biological males.
The test is non-invasive—it is conducted by scraping the inside of the cheek with a swab, similar to COVID tests—it is performed only once in a lifetime and has an reliability of over 99%, which the IOC qualifies as an "exceptionally rigorous" eligibility requirement.
The document includes exceptions for genetic disorders with very low prevalence, such as androgen insensitivity syndrome, which will allow some women carrying the SRY gene to compete in the female category as well.
International federations may also request exemptions if they demonstrate that their sport does not rely on strength or that sex does not compromise fairness among competitors, as is the case in equestrian sports, where athletes are not classified by gender.
Regarding minors, they may voluntarily undergo testing with the consent of their parents or guardians; at the 2030 Youth Olympic Games, testing will be mandatory.
Athletes who refuse to undergo the test will not be allowed to compete in the female category starting from Los Angeles 2028. The IOC acknowledges that in some countries, such as Norway and France, the test is prohibited, but points out that athletes can take it in another country without violating national regulations.
The document equates athletes with differences in sexual development with XY chromosomes to transgender women concerning relevant biological characteristics: both have XY chromosomes, the SRY gene, testicles, and testosterone within the male range, traits that "are responsible for male sexual development and confer advantages in sports performance."
This stance contrasts with the previous criteria of the organization, which since 2015 allowed trans athletes to compete in the female category under certain hormonal conditions.
The IOC also addresses the controversial boxing tournament in Paris 2024, which highlighted the case of Algerian Imane Khelif, and emphasizes that all participants "complied with the eligibility and participation criteria of the competition, as well as with all the medical regulations in force at that time."
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