The IOC’s New Sex-testing Policy Explained
These resources for journalists provide concise, evidence-based information to understand the IOC’s new sex testing policy. They outline scientific limitations, human rights concerns, and legal implications, while summarizing expert and advocacy perspectives. Together, they support accurate, informed reporting on fairness, inclusion, and the impact of eligibility rules in sport.
This FAQ critiques the IOC’s new policy mandating genetic sex testing for women athletes. It argues the science—especially around the SRY gene—is unreliable, highlights ethical, legal, and human rights concerns, and warns of harmful consequences including coercion, privacy violations, and invasive procedures, urging more inclusive, evidence-based alternatives. This is particularly meant for media houses and journalists.
Legal experts warn that mandatory genetic sex testing in sport violates human rights, including privacy, dignity, and non-discrimination. They argue such policies lack scientific basis, cause harm, and breach legal protections on genetic data. The statement urges sports bodies to abandon these rules and uphold inclusive, rights-respecting participation standards.
The Sport & Rights Alliance, ILGA, and Humans of Sport’s joint statement warns that proposed Olympic genetic sex testing and bans on trans and intersex athletes are discriminatory, unscientific, and harmful. It argues such policies violate privacy, dignity, and safety, disproportionately impact marginalized women, and urges the IOC to uphold inclusive, human rights-based, evidence-driven sport policies.
The joint statement by UN experts* affirms that participation in sport is a human right and calls for policies grounded in fairness, inclusion, and non-discrimination. It rejects exclusion based on gender identity or sex characteristics without evidence, urging transparent, proportionate, rights-based approaches that respect dignity, equality, and the diversity of all athletes.
*The experts:
Graeme Reid, Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
Claudia Flores (Chair), Ivana Krstić (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Haina Lu, and Laura Nyirinkindi, Working Group on discrimination against women and girls
Get In Touch
If you have any further questions or would like to get in touch regarding these resources, please complete the contact form with your relevant details. Our team will review your inquiry and respond as soon as possible to provide additional information, clarification, or support on the IOC policy and related issues.