The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced new eligibility regulations for women’s events, introducing mandatory sex testing as part of efforts to ensure fairness and integrity in competition.
Under the updated rules, transgender athletes and some competitors with Differences of Sex Development (DSD) will face stricter requirements to participate in women’s sports. The IOC stated that a one-time SRY gene test will be used to determine eligibility.
The decision follows similar measures introduced by World Athletics, which made testing compulsory for female athletes competing in major championships and Diamond League events.
The new policy is expected to impact athletes such as former Olympic weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, while also placing renewed scrutiny on competitors with DSD conditions, who must now demonstrate that they do not gain performance advantages linked to testosterone.
The move comes after recent controversies in Olympic boxing, including the case of Imane Khelif at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Khelif, who won gold in the women’s welterweight division, has denied claims regarding gender eligibility and has previously undergone treatment to manage testosterone levels.
The IOC said the updated framework is aimed at protecting “fairness, safety and integrity” in women’s sport, though the decision is likely to continue sparking debate across the global sporting community.
