IOC to Introduce Genetic Testing for Female Athletes at Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee announced on Thursday, March 26, 2026, that only biological female athletes will be eligible to compete in women's events at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and beyond, requiring all qualifying athletes to undergo a one-time genetic test for the SRY gene, which is associated with male sex development. The decision effectively bars transgender women from competing in the female category at the Olympic Games. The IOC stated that the test can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample, describing it as unintrusive. The announcement drew immediate and sharply divided reactions from governments and sports bodies around the world.

France calls the policy a scientific step backwards French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari condemned the IOC's decision on Friday, March 27, 2026, calling it a "step backwards" and expressing the French government's "deep concern" over the move. Ferrari said France "takes note" of the new requirement but fundamentally opposes any broad application of genetic screening. „We oppose a generalisation of genetic testing that raises numerous ethical, legal and medical questions, particularly in light of French bioethics legislation.” — Marina Ferrari via Reuters Ferrari pointed out that similar sex-determination tests were first introduced in 1967 but were discontinued in 1999 following strong reservations within the scientific community about their relevance. She argued that the policy risks undermining the principle of equality by specifically targeting women athletes, and warned that it fails to account for biological diversity among intersex individuals. „It defines the female sex without taking into account the biological specificities of intersex individuals, whose sexual characteristics present natural variations, leading to a reductive and potentially stigmatizing approach.” — Marina Ferrari via Reuters France announced it would establish a national observatory bringing together sports bodies, scientists, legal experts, and athlete representatives to develop recommendations ensuring sport remains fair, inclusive, and respectful of human rights.

Trump praises IOC ruling, links it to his executive order United States President Donald Trump praised the IOC's decision late on Thursday via his Truth Social platform, framing it as a direct consequence of his own policy. „Congratulations to the International Olympic Committee on their decision to ban Men from Women's Sports. This is only happening because of my powerful Executive Order, standing up for Women and Girls!” — Donald Trump via Al Jazeera The IOC's new policy aligns with a Trump executive order from February 2025 that banned transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports in the United States. New Zealand's Olympic Committee offered a contrasting but supportive perspective, with chief executive Nicki Nicol welcoming the policy as bringing greater clarity and fairness to the Games. Nicol acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, stating it "directly affects people, not just policy," while recognizing the extensive consultation and expert input that informed the IOC's decision. New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard had become the first openly transgender woman to compete at the Olympics when she participated at the Tokyo 2021 Games.

A contested history of sex testing at the Olympics Genetic sex testing at the Olympics has a contested history spanning several decades. The IOC introduced sex-determination tests in 1967, according to the source articles, and the practice continued until 1999, when it was discontinued following scientific reservations about its reliability and relevance. The new policy, announced under IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who took office in 2025, marks the return of a form of testing that had been absent from Olympic eligibility criteria for more than two decades. The IOC's decision places it in alignment with a growing number of national sports policies that have moved to restrict transgender participation in women's categories, a trend accelerated in part by political pressure in several countries. France's opposition is notable given that Paris hosted the 2024 Summer Olympics and has a close institutional relationship with the IOC. Ferrari pledged that France remains committed to ensuring "every athlete can compete in a respectful, protective environment consistent with the values of French sport." The divergence between France's condemnation and the United States' endorsement reflects a broader international debate over how sports governing bodies should balance competitive fairness, inclusion, and the rights of transgender and intersex athletes. The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, at which the new rules will first apply, are set to take place on American soil under a political administration that has made restrictions on transgender participation in sport a legislative and executive priority.

IOC Sex Testing Policy: Eligibility rule for women's events (before: No genetic test required (policy discontinued since 1999), after: One-time SRY gene test required from LA 2028 onwards); Transgender women's eligibility (before: Case-by-case assessment (e.g. Laurel Hubbard competed at Tokyo 2021), after: Effectively barred from female category); Genetic testing era (before: Tests introduced 1967, discontinued 1999, after: Reinstated from 2026 announcement, applied from 2028)

IOC Gender Eligibility Policy — Key Dates: — ; — ; — ; — ; — ; —