WNBA Player Brianna Turner Speaks Out Against IOC's Gender Policy

Turner argues the policy unfairly targets transgender women and athletes with intersex variations.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:06am

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Brianna Turner, a WNBA player, has spoken out against the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) new policy requiring sex verification testing for women athletes competing in the Olympics. Turner argues the policy effectively bars transgender women and athletes with intersex variations from competing, despite there being no evidence of unfair advantages. She says the policy distracts from the real challenges facing women's sports, such as unequal funding, limited access to training, and gender-based violence and harassment.

Why it matters

The IOC's new gender policy has sparked a wider debate about the inclusion of transgender and intersex athletes in women's sports. Turner's perspective as a WNBA player provides an important voice in this discussion, highlighting the potential harm of policies that single out and exclude certain athletes.

The details

In her opinion piece, Turner recounts her own experiences playing basketball with and against transgender and intersex athletes, noting she has never witnessed any unfair advantages. She argues the IOC's policy invites unequal scrutiny, particularly for Black, Brown, and Global South athletes. Turner believes the focus on who can compete as a woman distracts from the real structural inequities facing women's sports, such as pay disparities and gender-based violence.

  • The IOC recently announced the new binding policy requiring sex verification testing for women athletes.
  • In 2021, the IOC released a framework asserting there is no automatic competitive advantage based on 'sex variations, physical appearance, and/or transgender status.'

The players

Brianna Turner

A WNBA player who has been an outspoken ally for social and racial justice and for LGBTQ+ athletes, including specifically in support of transgender women in women's sports.

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

The international governing body for the Olympic Games that recently announced a new policy requiring sex verification testing for women athletes.

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What they’re saying

“After years of dedication and preparation, the final hurdle to represent your country should not be proving to a panel of strangers that you are the woman you say you are.”

— Brianna Turner, WNBA Player

“We cannot choose our genes or chromosomes, but we can choose how hard we work, how we treat one another and whether we protect the dignity of every athlete.”

— Brianna Turner, WNBA Player

What’s next

The IOC's new gender policy is expected to be a major point of discussion and debate leading up to the 2028 Olympics, as athletes, advocates, and medical experts continue to push for more inclusive and evidence-based policies.

The takeaway

Turner's perspective highlights the need for sports governing bodies to prioritize fairness, opportunity, and safety for all athletes, rather than singling out and excluding certain groups. Focusing on structural inequities, not policing athletes' identities, is key to strengthening women's sports.