The International Olympic Committee has established that transgender athletes may compete if they qualify based on sporting merit.
However, they must do so in the category corresponding to their biological sex, starting with Los Angeles 2028 games.
The organization, headed by Kirsty Coventry, issued a clarifying document on the participation criteria for transgender athletes in the Olympic Games, assuring that there is no exclusion for transgender individuals as long as they qualify based on their sporting merit.
The decision, adopted on March 26, stipulates that only biological women may participate in women’s events, a measure that will not be retroactive and, therefore, will not affect previous results.
The document issued by the sports body also includes several questions that clarify other points on the subject.
Determination of Eligibility Through SRY Gene Testing
To establish eligibility in the women’s category, the IOC requires a test to detect the SRY gene, present exclusively in biological males. Women who test negative will be able to compete in women’s events.
This is a non-invasive method, such as swabbing the inside of the cheek, which is performed only once in a lifetime and which the IOC describes as “highly reliable.”
The organization considers this test highly accurate—”in more than 99 percent of cases”—and therefore defines it as an “exceptionally rigorous” eligibility requirement.
Exceptions and special considerations
The document includes exceptions for very rare genetic disorders, such as androgen insensitivity syndrome, which would allow some women carrying the SRY gene to compete in the women’s category.
The IOC clarifies that the tests only establish the presence or absence of the SRY gene, without intending to establish a medical diagnosis. Furthermore, international federations may request exceptions if they demonstrate that a sport does not depend on strength and that gender does not violate sporting fairness, as is the case in equestrian sports.
The text reads, “Did boxer Imane Khelif acknowledge to L’Équipe that she has XY chromosomes? She said she possesses the SRY gene, which typically implies male development, but not in all cases, according to experts consulted by AFP Factual.”
Criteria for athletes with DSD XY and transgender people
When asked why athletes with DSD XY—people who combine male and female sexual characteristics—and transgender people are treated the same, the IOC acknowledges differences in aspects such as gender identity, but considers that they share relevant biological characteristics: the presence of XY chromosomes, the SRY gene, testes, and testosterone levels in the male range.
The organization points out that these characteristics “are responsible for male sexual development and confer advantages in athletic performance,” while also emphasizing that the separation aims to reduce safety risks in contact sports.
Consequences of refusing the test and its application to minors
Female athletes can refuse to take the test, but if they do not demonstrate their eligibility, they will not be able to compete in the women’s category starting with the next Olympic Games.
The IOC recognizes that some countries, such as Norway and France, prohibit these tests, but indicates that athletes can take them in another country where they are legal. In the case of minors, with the consent of their parents or guardians, they may opt for early eligibility validation. This measure will be mandatory for the Youth Olympic Games starting in 2030.
The IOC justifies the new stance by stating that the previous criteria “had become outdated with respect to the latest scientific advances.” The organization claims that the positions of the Olympic Movement, international federations, and athletes were considered through a working group of independent experts.
Regarding previous results, such as the Paris 2024 boxing tournament where the case of Algerian Imane Khelif stood out, the IOC emphasizes that all participants “complied with the eligibility and participation rules of the competition, as well as with all the medical regulations in force at that time,” and therefore the new regulations do not affect their results.
[ SOURCE: teleSUR ]
