IOC Reinstates Controversial Femininity Tests for 2028 Olympics

New policy bans transgender and many intersex athletes from women's events, sparking backlash from experts and advocates.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:41pm

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A cubist, geometric painting in vibrant colors depicting the fragmented, multi-faceted debate over gender testing policies in sports competitions.The IOC's reinstatement of gender testing for the 2028 Olympics exposes the complex, fragmented debate over fairness and inclusion in women's sports.Los Angeles Today

Nearly 30 years after abandoning the practice, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the reinstatement of genetic testing to determine 'biological female sex' eligibility for women's events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The new policy, the first major initiative under IOC President Kirsty Coventry, will require athletes to undergo chromosomal testing and ban those carrying the SRY gene, which is associated with male sexual development. This targets both transgender women and a significant number of intersex athletes, drawing fierce criticism from scientists, UN experts, and human rights groups.

Why it matters

The IOC's decision to revive femininity testing is a major reversal of its 2021 policy that left eligibility rules up to individual sports federations. Critics argue the new regulations are scientifically unsupported, legally questionable, and divert attention from more pressing issues of inequality in women's sports. The policy also sets up a potential clash with the 2028 Olympics host, US President Donald Trump, who had previously banned transgender athletes from women's competitions.

The details

Under the new IOC policy, 'eligibility for any women's event at the Olympic Games is now reserved for people of biological female sex' who do not carry the SRY gene. Exceptions will only be made for athletes who can prove 'total insensitivity to androgens,' a complex and costly process. International and national sports authorities will be responsible for administering the mandatory one-time chromosomal tests. The IOC had previously used similar femininity tests from 1968 to 1996 before abandoning the practice due to scientific and ethical concerns.

  • The IOC announced the new policy on April 18, 2026.
  • The policy will take effect starting with the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
  • The IOC had previously used femininity tests from 1968 to 1996 before discontinuing the practice in 1999.

The players

Kirsty Coventry

The first woman and first African elected as President of the International Olympic Committee in March 2025.

Donald Trump

The host of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the President of the United States, who had previously banned transgender athletes from women's sports competitions.

Imane Khélif

An Algerian boxer who won a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite carrying the SRY gene that would now make her ineligible under the new IOC policy.

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What’s next

The IOC's new policy will be implemented starting with the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It remains to be seen how this will impact transgender and intersex athletes, as well as how it will be received by the host country and its president, Donald Trump, who had previously banned transgender athletes from women's sports.

The takeaway

The IOC's decision to reinstate controversial femininity testing raises significant ethical, scientific, and legal concerns. Critics argue the policy is not supported by evidence, violates human rights, and diverts attention from more pressing issues of inequality in women's sports. As the 2028 Olympics approach, this policy is likely to face continued backlash and legal challenges.