France slams Olympic gender verification as 'regressive move', while other nations voice support for the measure

France has denounced the International Olympic Committee's newly introduced policy on gender testing, deeming it a "step backwards", whereas other nations have expressed their support for the move, which aims to determine eligibility to compete in women's events.

n

According to France's Sports Minister Marina Ferrari, the test, which is prohibited under French law, poses significant concerns as it specifically targets women by introducing a distinction that undermines the principle of equality, prompting Ferrari to state that "France regrets this step backwards".

n

The IOC's decision to scrap a similar test in 1999 was due to strong reservations from the scientific community regarding their usefulness, a fact recalled by Ferrari in her statement criticizing the new policy.

n

The IOC announced on Thursday that only "biological females" will be allowed to participate in women's events, effectively preventing transgender women from competing, and re-introducing gender testing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics onwards.

n

This move will also disqualify many athletes with differences in sexual development, previously known as intersex athletes, who will be subject to the new testing policy.

n

French Minister Ferrari criticized the new policy, stating that it "defines the female sex without taking into consideration the biological specificities of intersex people whose sexual characteristics present natural variations, which leads to a reductive and potentially stigmatizing approach".

n

The IOC has indicated that there may be "rare exceptions" for DSD athletes who do not benefit from the performance-enhancing effects of testosterone, providing a potential loophole for some athletes.

n

IOC President Kirsty Coventry explained that athletes from countries where the gender test is banned will have to undergo testing in other countries, stating "If it is illegal in a country, athletes will have the possibility when they travel to other competitions to be tested there".

n

Coventry further clarified that "This is also why we're saying the policy comes into effect now, but will be implemented in LA 28, so we have time to walk through this process with everyone", allowing for a transition period before the new policy is fully implemented.

n

The sport of athletics introduced a similar gender test last year, and the president of France's athletics federation, Jean Gracia, told AFP that they have found a solution by utilizing occasions when athletes are outside France to conduct the required testing.

n

New Zealand's Olympic Committee has welcomed the IOC ruling, stating that it will bring greater "clarity" to future Games, particularly after the country fielded transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard in the women's competition at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

n

NZOC chief executive Nicki Nicol expressed support for the new policy, saying it will bring "greater clarity, consistency and fairness to eligibility for the female category at the Olympic level".

n

Australian Olympic Committee president Ian Chesterman also expressed support for the IOC's decision, stating that the organization had comprehensively investigated the "complex issue" before making its decision.

n

"Harry Potter" creator JK Rowling, a prominent supporter of the argument that only those born female at birth are women, has also welcomed the IOC's new policy, posting a message on X with a picture of Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who sparked a furore over her gender eligibility at the Paris Olympics.

n

Rowling stated that the "ruling by the IOC means a welcome return to fair sport for women and girls", while also referencing the scandal of the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she claimed people "publicly cheered on men punching women".

n

The IOC policy is in line with an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump last year, which banned transgender athletes from women's sport, with Trump stating on his Truth Social network that the IOC's move was "only happening because of my powerful Executive Order, standing up for Women and Girls!".

n

Eligibility for the female category will be decided by genetic testing, specifically testing for the SRY gene, which determines whether a person is biologically male, using a swab of the cheek or blood samples, and will only take place once in an athlete's career.

n

IOC chief Coventry announced the test on Thursday, stating "I do feel that this policy is a policy that is supporting equality and fairness and the protection of the safety on the field of play", emphasizing the organization's commitment to fairness and safety in women's sports.