IOC Bans Transgender Women, Introduces New Eligibility Test

0:00Europe news today, powered by AI bringing you what matters across Europe. I'm Cory with the story. The International Olympic Committee has introduced a new policy banning transgender women from competing in female categories starting at the 20, 28 Los Angeles Olympics. They'll determine eligibility through a one-time SRY gene test that checks if someone was assigned female at birth, using a simple saliva sample, cheek swab, or blood draw. This framework builds on years of debate over fairness in sports. The ILC first permitted transgender athletes to participate back in 2004, but just a handful have actually competed in Olympic events. Since then, athletes and fans have long raised concerns about advantages in women's competitions, where even tiny differences can decide gold or silver. Officials emphasize treating everyone with respect while protecting the integrity of female categories for both individual and team sports. The change kicks in for the 20, 28 games and beyond,

1:02with no retroactive effects on past results. Screening happens once in a lifetime, paired with clear education, counseling, and medical guidance to make the process smooth. As Olympic sports evolve, this policy sets a clearer path forward, ensuring level playing fields as teams gear up for Los Angeles.