Olympics’ ban on trans athletes contravenes human rights laws

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed it is introducing a controversial new policy that will ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s events.

The IOC stated eligibility for women’s events will be determined by a “once-in-a-lifetime” sex test, which would prevent transgender women and those with differences in sexual development from competing.

It is an abrupt U-turn after the IOC previously left athletes’ eligibility up to their respective sports federations.

Reactions to the decision were unsurprisingly fierce.

From a legal point of view, it opens up a can of worms and will no doubt affect many athletes from the top level down to grassroots.

The International Olympic Committee announces new Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport.

Read: https://t.co/QcU5IVxyTi pic.twitter.com/3brHorx1k8— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) March 26, 2026

What is the test?

The IOC says “eligibility for the female category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY gene”. It added: “Based on scientific evidence, the IOC considers the presence of the SRY gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced male sex development.”

SRY stands for “sex determining region Y” gene. The presence of the SRY gene is associated with men’s typical sexual development.

Any athlete whose test...

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