Olympians Praise IOC Policy Change to Protect Women's Sports

Multiple gold medalists applaud decision to bar biological males from competing in women's events.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:07pm

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Olympians, including Martina Navratilova and Nancy Hogshead, have voiced their support for the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) new policy that will prevent biological males from competing in women's sports. The athletes praised the decision as a step towards fairness and the protection of women's categories in the Olympic Games.

Why it matters

The IOC's policy change is seen as a significant victory for women's sports, as it addresses longstanding concerns about the inherent physical advantages that biological males possess over biological females in many athletic disciplines. This decision aims to preserve the integrity and fairness of women's competitions at the highest level of international sport.

The details

The IOC updated its policies to implement sex testing and prevent biological males from competing in women's events. Several Olympians, including gold medalists, have shared their reactions with Fox News Digital, applauding the decision as a move towards fairness and the protection of women's sports. The athletes emphasized the importance of basing the decision on science and research, rather than politics or ambiguity, to ensure a level playing field for female athletes.

  • The IOC announced the new policy change on March 26, 2026.

The players

Martina Navratilova

A former professional tennis player and 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, who has spoken out in support of the IOC's decision.

Nancy Hogshead

A former Olympic swimmer and gold medalist, who praised the IOC's leadership in protecting women's sports.

Elana Meyers Taylor

An Olympic bobsledder and gold medalist, who expressed her support for the IOC's decision to implement sex testing and prevent biological males from competing in women's events.

Lolo Jones

An Olympic hurdler and bobsledder, who welcomed the IOC's decision as a step towards fairness in women's sports.

Caitlyn Jenner

A former Olympic decathlete and reality TV personality, who has been vocal about the need to protect women's sports from the participation of biological males.

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What they’re saying

“Today is a great day for women's sports, and a big win in the Olympic world. By implementing the sex testing, it will allow for fair competition.”

— Elana Meyers Taylor, Olympic Bobsledder and Gold Medalist

“This is huge for women's sport. For years, female athletes have asked for clarity, consistency, and fairness in competition. Not politics. Not ambiguity. Just clear standards that protect the integrity of the category we train our entire lives to compete in.”

— Katie Uhlaender, Olympic Skeleton Racer

“Welcome news today from the IOC. People who adopt different gender identities, such as transgender, gender non-conforming, or others should be afforded the same human rights as other citizens and protected from discrimination, so long as no sex-based rights are compromised.”

— Martina Navratilova

“Finally, the International Olympic Committee showed some balls and chose fairness over fear. As an Olympian, I didn't dedicate my life to competing on a manipulated playing field—one tilted and disguised as inclusion.”

— Caitlyn Jenner, Former Olympic Decathlete and Reality TV Personality

“Women's sport exists because biological differences matter—strength, power, and muscle developed through male puberty aren't erased, and pretending otherwise erases us. Fairness isn't controversial. Let little girls dream of gold — not allow those dreams to be lost or tarnished.”

— Lolo Jones, Olympic Hurdler and Bobsledder

What’s next

The IOC's new policy will be implemented starting at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The takeaway

The IOC's decision to bar biological males from competing in women's sports is a significant victory for fairness and the preservation of women's athletic opportunities at the highest levels of international competition. This policy change, grounded in science and research, aims to protect the integrity of women's sports and ensure a level playing field for female athletes.