Eligibility for any female category at IOC events will now be limited to biological women, with an athlete’s status determined by a one-time screening process. Speaking in a video on the social media site X, IOC president Kirsty Coventry said: “Today, we the International Olympic Committee have published a policy on the protection of the female category. The new policy will mean most athletes with differences in sex development (DSDs) will also be excluded from competing in female categories. “Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect and athletes will only need to be screened once in their lifetime. The decision ahead of the Los Angeles Games prevents possible conflict between the IOC and United States president Donald Trump, who previously said the US would deny visas for transgender athletes travelling to compete in the Olympics.

Source: Irish Independent March 26, 2026 16:58 UTC