Test is banned under French law but most countries support IOC for providing ‘clarity’The International Olympic Committee’s new policy on gender testing will bar transgender athletes from women’s competition. (Photo: AFP)PARIS - France on Friday called the International Olympic Committee’s new policy on gender testing to determine eligibility to compete in women’s events a “step backwards”, but other countries welcomed the move. “France regrets this step backwards,” Ferrari added, recalling that the IOC scrapped a similar test in 1999 “due to strong reservations from the scientific community regarding their usefulness”. IOC President Kirsty Coventry said on Thursday that athletes from countries where the gender test was banned would have to be tested in other countries. So we have time to walk through this process with everyone.”The sport of athletics introduced the gender test last year.

Source: Bangkok Post March 27, 2026 15:10 UTC