Donald Trump responds after IOC bans transgender athletes from LA 2028 Olympics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a significant change to eligibility rules for women’s events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, prompting an immediate response from the White House and adding momentum to an already contentious global debate.
According to an IOC statement released on March 26, participation in women’s categories will be limited to athletes who meet specific biological criteria. The organization said it will introduce a one-time genetic screening focused on the SRY gene, which it describes as an indicator of male sex development.
The test, which may be conducted באמצעות saliva, blood, or cheek swab, would be required only once in an athlete’s lifetime. The IOC said athletes who do not have the SRY gene would be deemed eligible for women’s competition on a permanent basis, barring any reason to question the result.
“Based on scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the presence of the SRY gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced male sex development,” the organization said in its statement.
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It added that athletes who test negative “permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria,” describing the process as minimally invasive compared with other testing methods.
The IOC also noted that exceptions may apply in certain cases, including athletes diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or other differences in sex development that do not result in performance advantages linked to testosterone.
The policy shift comes as debates over gender eligibility in sport continue across multiple governing bodies and countries. The Los Angeles Games are set to take place amid heightened scrutiny of how fairness and inclusion are balanced in elite competition.
In Washington, the White House quickly endorsed the IOC’s move. Officials linked the decision to existing U.S. policy under President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order in February 2025 aimed at restricting transgender participation in women’s and girls’ sports. The order includes provisions to withhold federal funding from educational institutions that do not comply.
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“The IOC aligning their policy with President Trump’s Executive Order ahead of the 2028 LA Games is common sense and long-overdue,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt also pointed to the administration’s role in shaping the broader policy environment. Writing on X, she said: “You cannot change your sex. President Trump's Executive Order protecting women's sports made this happen!”
The IOC did not indicate whether the U.S. policy directly influenced its decision. However, the announcement is likely to intensify international discussion, with athletes, advocacy groups, and sporting federations expected to weigh in as the Games approach.
Sources: IOC statement; White House statements; SPORTbible
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