The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced plans to adopt a new scientific framework aimed at protecting the integrity of the female category in sports. A taskforce comprising scientists and representatives from international federations will be established within weeks to develop a new gender eligibility policy. This marks a significant policy shift and reflects growing consensus within the Olympic movement about the need to address fairness in women’s competition.
This move comes amid continued debate following controversial outcomes at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where two athletes who had previously been disqualified over gender eligibility issues went on to win gold medals in boxing. These cases have reignited discussions around sex testing, transgender participation, and differences in sex development (DSD). The newly recognized international boxing federation has already introduced mandatory sex testing, asserting that affected athletes cannot compete in the female category without undergoing specific assessments.
IOC members are reported to have expressed strong support for a more proactive and scientific approach to ensure fairness in women’s sports. The organization emphasized that while policies may vary between sports due to their different physical demands, the overarching goal is to ensure equitable competition and maintain the integrity of the female category.
The IOC’s revised stance also signals a desire to move beyond past controversies and to focus on shaping future policy. It has confirmed that results from previous Games, including Paris 2024, will remain unchanged. Rather than revisiting medal allocations, the committee aims to apply lessons from past events to craft a forward-looking policy rooted in science and fairness.
Workshops held in Lausanne ahead of the announcement provided a platform for IOC members to voice their concerns and shape the direction of this policy overhaul. The consensus that emerged placed emphasis on fairness and the necessity of safeguarding women’s categories in sport, using a collaborative, expert-led process.
The expected outcome is the exclusion of transgender athletes and those with DSD from the female category, unless they meet newly defined criteria. While the final policy has yet to be released, it is clear that the IOC intends to lead on the issue and work closely with sports bodies worldwide to build consistent, evidence-based standards that reflect both inclusivity and fairness.
This shift is likely to prompt wider changes across international sport, as federations align with the IOC’s direction and adopt sport-specific rules based on the new framework.
