Former U.S. women’s soccer player Megan Rapinoe has voiced her concerns regarding a new policy introduced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) intended to ensure fairness in women’s sports.
The IOC outlined that participation in women’s events at the Olympics and other IOC-sponsored competitions will now be determined by a single SRY genetic test, which is restricted to biological females.
They emphasized that the policy is “evidence-based” and results from expert consultations, mentioning various testing methods like saliva or blood samples.
A report presented at the World Athletics Committee meeting in Tokyo highlighted that between 2000 and now, around 50 to 60 athletes with male biological advantages have reached the finals in women’s categories at international competitions.
This committee, led by Dr. Stephan Vermon from World Athletics, indicated that such gender testing is crucial due to the “overrepresentation” of athletes with differences in sex development in these competitions, according to various sources.
In her podcast, “A Touch More,” Rapinoe strongly opposed the new policy.
“It’s unfortunate, but I need to say—this new rule from the IOC feels really scary,” she remarked, acknowledging the transgender community. “They’ve labeled it a policy, but it doesn’t actually aim to protect women. It’s eye-opening because two athletes at the highest level don’t see this as a significant issue like they claim. ‘Protecting women’ in their category is misleading.”
Rapinoe criticized the notion that the policy is based on scientific reasoning, arguing that the IOC’s actions subject women to “invasive testing.”
“We want biology to fit neatly into categories, but that’s just not realistic,” she explained. “So now, we’re imposing this invasive testing on all women and anyone identifying as a woman. Are we attempting to narrow down the definition of a woman? It feels like the focus should really be on the sport itself.”
She continued, suggesting that the IOC was trying to divert attention after losing ground on various social issues. “They’re focusing on this campaign against transgender individuals, a small portion of the population. In sports, this feels like threading the smallest possible needle,” she said.
Rapinoe claimed that the IOC’s decision was influenced by pressures from the Trump administration.
“The committee presents this as a scientific initiative, but it really just restricts competition in women’s categories based on perceived unfair advantages. It’s a harmful move. The number of transgender athletes is minimal, and the implications are obvious,” she stated.
She further criticized the IOC’s actions as yielding to right-wing politics, stating, “This is a complete surrender to the Trump administration and is fostering hatred against a vulnerable group merely trying to exist. It’s truly disheartening.”
On the flip side, some Olympic athletes backed the IOC’s stance.
Among them was Kylie Humphries, a three-time Olympic gold medalist for both the United States and Canada.
“Today is a significant day for women’s sports—it’s a monumental win for the Olympic community,” she stated. “Reintroducing gender testing will create fair competition. It’s something we have done before, and bringing it back will safeguard women’s sports, especially with LA28 on the horizon,” she added, supporting the President’s advocacy for protecting women’s categories.
