President Donald Trump has announced a new plan that could affect women athletes competing in the 2028 Olympics. He suggested that all female participants might be required to take a one-time genetic test to confirm their gender before being allowed to compete. This move is aimed at ensuring fairness in women’s sports.
During a press conference on Tuesday, August 6, Trump addressed recent controversies involving gender eligibility at the Paris 2024 Olympics. These issues were sparked by debates around Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting. Both were previously banned from the 2023 Women’s World Championships by the former International Boxing Association (IBA) due to concerns over their gender but were later allowed to compete in Paris by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
According to the IBA, the athletes had not taken testosterone tests but had undergone another unnamed method of assessment. The association argued that both athletes had physical advantages over their opponents and failed to meet women’s competition rules.
The IOC later stepped in and decided that an athlete’s passport would be enough to confirm their gender. This decision overruled the IBA’s stance and followed past practices.
When asked about the possibility of more strict rules in future events, Trump confirmed his administration is considering tougher measures to protect female athletes, especially in sports like boxing. He added that if a gender test result isn’t acceptable, the athlete would not be allowed to compete in the Olympics.
Trump also said the Department of Justice could take action against anyone found to have misrepresented their gender in sports, although he didn’t give exact legal details. He further revealed plans to set up a special Olympic task force, which he will personally supervise, to handle preparations for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
Trump’s comments come as World Athletics introduces a new rule requiring one-time genetic testing for all women athletes ahead of the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo. Starting September 1, female athletes must test for the SRY gene, a genetic marker used to determine biological sex. The testing will involve simple procedures like a cheek swab or blood test.
Top athletes, including British runners Keely Hodgkinson and Georgia Hunter Bell, will need to complete the testing before the Tokyo championships kick off on September 13.
Los Angeles is set to host the Olympics for the third time, having previously done so in 1932 and 1984. The last Summer Olympics held in the U.S. took place in Atlanta back in 1996.
