IOC Introduces New Policy for Women’s Olympic Events Ahead of LA28

IOC Introduces New Policy for Women’s Olympic Events Ahead of LA28

The International Olympic Committee has introduced a new policy governing eligibility for the women’s category at the Olympic Games, with the new rules set to apply from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Under the policy announced on March 26, 2026, eligibility for the women’s category at the Olympics will be determined through a one-time genetic test during an athlete’s Olympic career. The IOC says the policy is intended to protect the women’s category and address questions surrounding fairness and competitive eligibility. 

The policy specifically uses testing for the SRY gene, a segment of DNA typically associated with the Y chromosome and involved in male sex development. The IOC describes the test as the method its expert group considers the most accurate and least intrusive for determining eligibility under the new policy. 

The announcement comes ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, making the issue particularly relevant in the United States. The IOC says the policy will apply to Olympic events and is not retroactive. It also does not apply to grassroots or recreational sports. 

The decision has generated discussion around fairness, inclusion, athlete rights and the future of women’s sports. Supporters of the policy and critics of it have raised different concerns about how eligibility should be determined and how athletes should be treated.

The new policy will therefore be one of the notable changes surrounding the road to LA28, with its implementation expected to attract continued international attention.

Source: International Olympic Committee / CBS News (AP