Olympics urged to drop reported gender test plans for female athletes

"More than 80 human rights and sport advocacy groups have called on the International Olympic Committee to abandon reported plans to introduce universal genetic sex testing for female athletes and impose a blanket ban on transgender and intersex competitors."

"Multiple sources have said the group has advised the IOC to require all women and girl athletes to undergo genetic sex verification and to bar transgender and intersex athletes from competing in women's events."

"The SRA's executive director Andrea Florence said sex testing and a blanket ban policy would be a catastrophic erosion of women's rights and safety. Gender policing and exclusion harms all women and girls, and undermines the very dignity and fairness the IOC claims to uphold."

More than 80 human rights and sports advocacy organizations have called on the International Olympic Committee to reject reported plans for universal genetic sex testing of female athletes and blanket bans on transgender and intersex competitors. The Protection of the Female Category Working Group allegedly recommended these measures, which critics argue would undermine gender equity in sport. The IOC discontinued universal sex testing after 1996 and previously instructed international federations to develop their own guidelines. Major sports federations including athletics, swimming, and rugby union have since implemented their own policies restricting transgender athletes. Advocacy groups warn that sex testing and exclusionary policies harm all women and girls while contradicting principles of dignity and fairness.

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