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IOC Sparks Global Debate with Return of Gender Testing Ahead of 2028 Olympics

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 26th, 2026.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a major shift in athlete eligibility rules, confirming that genetic testing will be reintroduced for participation in female events starting from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Under the new policy, eligibility for women’s competitions will be restricted to “biological females,” determined through a one-time screening for the SRY gene — a genetic marker typically associated with male sex development. The IOC explained that the test could be conducted using saliva samples, cheek swabs, or blood tests, and in most cases would only be required once in an athlete’s lifetime.

The decision, which has already triggered intense global conversation, comes under the leadership of IOC President Kirsty Coventry. As reported by BBC Sport, the move follows lingering controversy from the 2024 Paris Olympics, where questions over gender eligibility dominated headlines, particularly in women’s boxing.

That controversy involved Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, both of whom had previously been disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) over eligibility concerns. Despite that, the IOC cleared both athletes to compete in Paris, a decision it defended at the time as a response to what it described as an abrupt and unjust ruling by the IBA. Both athletes went on to secure gold medals — a development that further intensified debate around fairness and inclusion in women’s sports.

Reuters noted that the IOC’s latest directive is aimed at establishing a uniform standard across all Olympic disciplines, amid growing pressure from federations and stakeholders seeking clarity on gender participation rules.

Meanwhile, Lin Yu-ting has since been approved to compete in female categories under World Boxing, the organisation set to oversee the sport at the Los Angeles Games, highlighting ongoing differences in approach among governing bodies.

The reintroduction of gender testing marks a significant policy reversal, as the IOC last implemented such measures at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics before discontinuing them. With the 2028 Games approaching, the decision is expected to remain a focal point of debate, balancing scientific criteria, competitive fairness, and evolving conversations around gender identity in global sport.