The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced this Thursday, March 26, that only “biological women” will be eligible to participate in women's events at the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. To verify this, athletes will undergo a unique genetic test. With this decision, the IOC seeks to protect women's competitions by establishing a universal rule for competitors following various controversies caused by fragmented regulations. In this regard, the IOC stated that all athletes wishing to participate in the Olympic Games must now undergo a genetic test for the SRY gene to determine their eligibility. “Based on scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the presence of the SRY gene is constant throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has undergone male sexual development,” the organization stated. Previously, the IOC had declined to set rules on transgender participation, having instructed international federations in 2021 to develop their own guidelines. Upon assuming the presidency, Kirsty Coventry stated that the IOC would lead the adoption of a uniform approach. In the statement issued this Thursday, Coventry noted that “at the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can make the difference between victory and defeat,” adding that “it would not be fair for biological men to compete in the women's category,” and emphasizing that “in some sports, it would not even be safe.”