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.