New IOC Policy's on the SRY gene screening

[gsk8]

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport and Guiding Considerations for International Federations and Sports Governing Bodies.

Following approval of the policy on March 26, 2026, by the IOC Executive Board, it will apply for the LA28 Olympic Games onwards, and is not retroactive.

Did they get it right?



In a nutshell:

• Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one‑time SRY gene screening.
• Evidence‑based and expert‑informed, the policy – applicable for the LA28 Olympic Games onwards – protects fairness, safety and integrity in the female category.
• It is not retroactive and does not apply to any grassroots or recreational sports programmes.

 

[DancingCactus]

Yeah, because protecting women is such a high priority for them normally.

 

[RoyThree]

Based on my own readings, I find this line: "Evidence‑based and expert‑informed", to be a bit dubious.

 

[brblja]

Ooh, so they care about “integrity” now?

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

FYI, biological women can still have the SRY gene. It's about 1 in 100,000.

Which is as frequent than the actual number of trans Olympians. https://www.sf.gov/trans-women-in-sports-facts-over-fear
(Estimates are that 0.001% of Olympics identify as trans = 1 in 100,000).

And thus, way less than 1 in 100,000 Olympic figure skaters are trans. But I suppose now 100% of women Olympians/figure skaters will need to under gender testing.

The rate of corrupt-AF Olympic judges (figure skating or otherwise) is way more frequent than 1 in 100,000 -- what are you gonna do about those, IOC/ISU?

 

[yuumagical]

This is one of many reasons why my enthusiasm for the LA 2028 Olympics is very low, despite it being incredibly close to where I live... *heavy sigh*

 

[TontoK]

I support this policy. I don't think it will have that much impact at the Olympic level, but I think most federations and lower-level sports governing bodies take their cue from the Olympic movement. And I'm for this trickling down. Absolutely.

I also agree 100% with other contributors pointing out the MANY ways that governing bodies DO NOT protect women and girls. And that needs to change as well. And, discretion being the better part of valor, I'm going to shut up on this particular topic before I derail this important thread.

 

[TontoK]

FYI, biological women can still have the SRY gene. It's about 1 in 100,000.

Which is as frequent than the actual number of trans Olympians. https://www.sf.gov/trans-women-in-sports-facts-over-fear
(Estimates are that 0.001% of Olympics identify as trans = 1 in 100,000).

And thus, way less than 1 in 100,000 Olympic figure skaters are trans. But I suppose now 100% of women Olympians/figure skaters will need to under gender testing.

The rate of corrupt-AF Olympic judges (figure skating or otherwise) is way more frequent than 1 in 100,000 -- what are you gonna do about those, IOC/ISU?

My understanding is that it's a one-time cheek swab. This seems FAR less intrusive than having someone routinely show up unannounced to watch you pee. Any perceived indelicacy of the gender testing procedure seems a red herring.

 

[crystalspin]

Sigh... they can f right off

 

[dorispulaski]

There were 7 women competing in the Olympics in 1996 who had the SRY gene.

It is not that uncommon.

Complete Androgen Insensitivity syndrome

 

[el henry]

This does diddly squat to “protect” cis women like me in sports.

It does discriminate against intersex women. Why do we spend so much time on strawpeople and not enough on the actual problems?

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

My understanding is that it's a one-time cheek swab. This seems FAR less intrusive than having someone routinely show up unannounced to watch you pee. Any perceived indelicacy of the gender testing procedure seems a red herring.

Not really the point of how intrusive the actual process is or isn't. It's women having to subject themselves to scrutiny, and discriminating against a minute percentage of people in the so-called pursuit of fair play in sport.

A trans woman cannot compete in the women's figure skating event under these rules. And the same trans woman would not be able to compete in the men's event of figure skating because they would have to present as male, which requires them to literally misgender themselves while competing. So where are elite trans figure skaters supposed to compete?

Trans people want to compete in sports in the gendered category they identify as, because that aligns to their gender identity/expression and being who they are — not because they want to get a better chance of winning medals. I am pretty sure that athletes aren't waking up one day and being like "I think I'll deliberately transition my gender and physical nature, in a significant life/body-altering decision, so I can potentially gain some athletic advantage."

Meanwhile, Russia has a history of systemic doping—actual deliberate physical alteration of their athletes with the purposeful intent of cheating/gaining physical advantage—and the IOC keeps inviting Russian athletes back (as ROC/OAR/AIN) even though literally every Winter Olympics from 2002-2022, a medal-winning athlete has been disqualified/stripped of their medal.

It is transphobia and misogyny, and whole ****ing lot of hypocrisy all rolled into one.

 

[TontoK]

I understand your point of view @CanadianSkaterGuy on trans athletes. I simply disagree with it.

 

[dorispulaski]

And what @TontoK is your opinion on intersex women?

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

I understand your point of view @CanadianSkaterGuy on trans athletes. I simply disagree with it.

I think it's fine to disagree. But, ask any woman to prove how much of a woman she is, and I think you're not gonna like the (quite understandable) response.

Some might think this change is protecting women, but it's not—doing the opposite, in fact.

Not sure how you identify, but personally, as a man, I've got absolutely no effing say (nor should I) in women's bodies and women's dignity (whether cis or trans), other than supporting their right to both those things.

 

[TontoK]

And what @TontoK is your opinion on intersex women?

I'm fair-minded enough to admit that I'm conflicted about that. Or at least I'm willing to admit that I'm not educated enough to put forth a worthwhile opinion.

I think the intersex part comes from a chromosomal abnormality, and while rare, it is naturally occurring. Is that correct?

 

[gsk8]

I'm fair-minded enough to admit that I'm conflicted about that. Or at least I'm willing to admit that I'm not educated enough to put forth a worthwhile opinion.

I think the intersex part comes from a chromosomal abnormality, and while rare, it is naturally occurring. Is that correct?

In a nutshell, "Intersex" is about biology, not identity. It means someone is born with natural variations in sex characteristic (i.e. genitals, hormones, chromosomes, etc.). Someone might not know they’re intersex until later in life (i.e. puberty). In fact, it's possible a person may never even know they are intersex.

It’s separate from being transgender.

It's rare, but has and does occur. Here is a list of Olympic athletes that are intersex. Bear in mind that not all cases are documented or made public for privacy reasons.

 

[dorispulaski]

Yes, these are children who are born appearing female, but having XY chromosomes and the SRY gene.

This explains what is going on with them:
Complete Androgen Insensitivity syndrome

complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) – where testosterone has no effect on sex development, so the genitals are entirely female

It's often not diagnosed until puberty, when periods do not start and pubic and underarm hair does not develop.

Most children with CAIS are raised as girls.

People magazine did a story on Mrs. Jackie Blankenship who is Mrs. America 2022 and who was born intersex. She has 3 intersex aunts as well.

https://people.com/intersex-pageant-queen-crowned-winner-after-revealing-her-condition-exclusive-11787610

 

[gsk8]

The conundrum is, "Can being intersex give an athlete an advantage?" Tough question.

Some conditions—especially certain differences of sex development (DSD)—can involve:

• Higher natural testosterone in athletes competing in women’s events
• Testosterone acting on the body in a typical male pattern

Testosterone is linked to:

• Increased muscle mass
• Strength
• Hemoglobin (oxygen-carrying capacity)

Where it does not give an advantage:

Many intersex variations:

• Do not increase testosterone
• Or involve bodies that can’t effectively use testosterone

For example: In Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (as @dorispulaski mentioned above), a person may have XY chromosomes and testosterone, but their body doesn’t respond to it. Therefore, there is no performance advantage.

Some research suggests testosterone can influence performance, but, the exact advantage widely varies. So some intersex variations may have advantages in certain areas, whereas others do not.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

I'm fair-minded enough to admit that I'm conflicted about that. Or at least I'm willing to admit that I'm not educated enough to put forth a worthwhile opinion.

I think the intersex part comes from a chromosomal abnormality, and while rare, it is naturally occurring. Is that correct?

Chromosomal traits that are more rare. Not abnormalities.

You would never tell your red-headed neighbour or friend who is 4’5” that they have “chromosomal abnormalities” just because they are recessive or underrepresented traits that are naturally occurring yet rare.

Humans are a kaleidoscope of genetic commonalities and rarities, so what might be construed as abnormal is simply something that is different.