End of an era in Olympism: The IOC's new rule excluding trans and intersex athletes
Almost 30 years after renouncing genetic femininity tests, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced this Thursday that it will reinstate them starting with the 2028 Olympic Games, which excludes transgender athletes and a large portion of intersex athletes from women's sports.
TL;DR
- IOC reinstates genetic femininity tests for 2028 Olympics.
- Policy excludes transgender and many intersex athletes from women's sports.
- Athletes must prove total androgen insensitivity, requiring complex tests.
- Tests will be conducted once per athlete's life by federations.
- This reverses the 2021 policy allowing federations to set their own rules.
- Previous gender tests were used from 1968 to 1996.
- Concerns raised by scientists, UN experts, jurists, and human rights organizations.
- Critics cite lack of scientific data and potential for discrimination.
- Policy aligns with former US President Trump's stance on transgender athletes.