IOC bans trans women from Olympics

Only biological women will be able to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after a landmark decision by the International Olympic Committee banning transgender women and those with differences in sexual development. IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the policy was "led by medical experts".

Key takeaways

Quick scan — what you need to know:

• Only biological women will be able to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after a landmark decision by the International Olympic Committee banning transgender women and those with differences…
• IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the policy was "led by medical experts".
• The IOC used gene testing in the 1980s but it was abolished in the 1990s.
• The policy change comes after years of controversy over the participation of transgender and DSD athletes in female competition.

Background

What led here, in plain terms:

• Only biological women will be able to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after a landmark decision by the International Olympic Committee banning transgender women and those with differences…
• IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the policy was "led by medical experts".
• The IOC used gene testing in the 1980s but it was abolished in the 1990s.
• The policy change comes after years of controversy over the participation of transgender and DSD athletes in female competition.

Why it matters

Why readers and decision-makers should care:

• Only biological women will be able to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after a landmark decision by the International Olympic Committee banning transgender women and those with differences…
• IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the policy was "led by medical experts".
• The IOC used gene testing in the 1980s but it was abolished in the 1990s.