The International Olympic Committee has banned transgender athletes from competing in women's events at the Olympics, introducing mandatory genetic testing for gender. A number of National Olympic Committees and human rights organizations have spoken out in response to the decision.
The IOC approved new guidelines yesterday that require genetic gender testing for all athletes competing in the women's category, as well as a complete ban on people who identify as transgender, intersex or gender nonconforming. In order to compete internationally, women will need to be screened for the SRY gene. The IOC considers the presence of the SRY gene to be definitive evidence that an athlete has experienced male development. Screening can be done by taking saliva, blood or cheek swab samples. , which must be negative.