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World Athletics Backs IOC Ban on Transgender Athletes in Female Events

World Athletics has expressed support for the International Olympic Committee's new policy barring transgender athletes from female category events. The policy, approved by the IOC Executive Board, limits eligibility to biological females determined by SRY gene screening. It will take effect from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and applies to all female events. The move aims to ensure fairness and a level playing field in women's sports.

Key Points: IOC Bans Transgender Athletes from Female Olympic Events

  • IOC bars transgender athletes from female events
  • Policy based on SRY gene screening
  • Effective from Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
  • World Athletics supports for fair playing field
2 min read

Gender can not trump biology: World Athletics supports IOC's policy to bar transgender athelete from female events

World Athletics supports new IOC policy limiting female category to biological females based on SRY gene screening, effective LA 2028.

"gender can not trump biology - World Athletics spokesperson"

Beijing, March 27

Following the policy of the International Olympic Committee to bar transgender athletes from female category events, a World Athletics spokesperson expressed support for IOC's new rules, stressing that "gender can not trump biology".

"We have led the way in protecting women's sport over the last decade. Attracting and retaining more girls and women into sport requires a fair and level playing field where there is no biological glass ceiling. This means that gender can not trump biology. A consistent approach across all sport has to be a good thing," the spokesperson said in an email sent to Xinhua on Thursday, the same day as the IOC announced the new policy limiting eligibility for the female category at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event to biological females.

The policy, approved by the IOC Executive Board, will take effect from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games onward and is not retroactive. It applies to all female category events, including both individual and team sports.

The IOC encourages International Federations (IFs) and other sports governing bodies to adopt the policy when implementing eligibility rules for IOC events.

"Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one‑time SRY gene screening," IOC said in a statement.

"Eligibility for the female category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY gene," it added.

World Athletics is among the international federations that have already adopted genetic testing, ahead of the 2025 World Championships last September in Tokyo, to confirm athletes' biological sex, aiming to strengthen fairness and transparency in women's competitions.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
A very complex issue. While I understand the need for fairness in competition, I hope there is also compassion and a clear path for transgender athletes to participate somewhere. Excluding them completely feels harsh. The science seems clear, but the human element matters too.
S
Sarah B
Finally, some common sense prevails in international sports. Biology is a fundamental fact. This decision will encourage more girls in India and worldwide to pursue sports seriously, knowing the competition is fair.
R
Rohit P
Good move by IOC. In a country like ours where we are trying to promote women's sports, this policy is important. We have seen cases where biological advantages are undeniable. Let's focus on creating more opportunities for our female athletes now.
M
Meera T
I support fairness, but the "one-time SRY gene screening" part makes me uneasy. What about conditions like Swyer syndrome? The policy seems a bit blunt. Hope they have robust medical panels to review edge cases with nuance.
K
Karthik V
This was a long time coming. Sports should be based on facts, not feelings. The "biological glass ceiling" phrase used by the spokesperson hits the nail on the head. Let's celebrate our women athletes without this cloud over their achievements.

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