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Transgender women athletes are now excluded from all women\u2019s events at the Olympic Games in accordance with a new policy from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The policy will be implemented from the 2028 Olympic Games onward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Female category events at the Olympics, or any other IOC events, will now be limited to \u201cbiological females.\u201d <\/p>\n
Eligibility will be determined by a one-time SRY gene screening via saliva, cheek swab, or blood sample, which the IOC considers \u201cunintrusive<\/a> compared to other possible methods.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThe policy that we have announced is based on science and has been led by medical experts,\u201d said IOC president Kirsty Coventry, who is also an Olympic champion<\/a> in swimming. \u201cAt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Those who screen SRY-negative permanently satisfy the policy\u2019s eligibility criteria for competition. Athletes with a positive screen are ineligible for any female categories but continue to be included in any male or open category or in events that do not classify athletes by sex.<\/p>\n The IOC considers the presence of the SRY (sex-determining region Y) gene to represent accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced male sex development, stating in a 10-page policy document<\/a> that virtually all athletes who screen positive will have testes or testicles that produce testosterone at adult male levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n