In March 2026, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board approved a landmark policy titled ‘Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport,’ replacing the 2021 framework without retroactive application and set to take effect from the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympic Games which is scheduled to be held in July 14-30, 2028 in the United States of America (USA).
- The policy aims to uphold fairness, safety, and integrity by protecting the rights of female athletes and ensuring equal competition based on scientific evidence.
About IOC Female Eligibility Policy:
Criteria: Sex-determining Region Y Gene Screening (SRY) requires athletes to be SRY-negative to compete in female categories, citing biological advantages in strength, power, and endurance.
Ineligibility: SRY-positive athletes, including XY transgender individuals and those with androgen-sensitive Differences/Disorders of Sex Development (DSD), are ineligible for female events but may compete in other categories, with exceptions for Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) and certain DSD cases without testosterone advantage.
Implementation: The policy applies to all IOC events, including the Olympic Games, Youth Olympics, and qualifiers, and is implemented by National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and International Federations (IFs) under joint oversight.
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