28/03/2026
Pride Sports is bitterly disappointed to see the IOC’s new policy on genetic testing in the female category and sees this as a significant attack on inclusive women’s sport.
Pride Sports believes the policy is scientifically flawed, unethical, undermining of human rights and harmful to women and girls.
🚨The SRY gene, which the test is hoping to identify in athletes, does not reliably indicate a person’s s*x
🚨No relationship between the SRY gene and athletic performance has ever been shown
🚨 Athletes who are forced to disclose private genetic information and return a positive test result, are likely to experience further highly invasive examinations
🚨 It is likely testing will be undertaken on children (the youngest athlete at Paris 2024 was 11 years old)
🚨 Privacy for impacted athletes cannot be guaranteed
🚨 Many countries have legislation that protect against genetic testing unless it is health-related or for medical research
🚨 Grassroots sports will be affected, with heightened scrutiny on women and girls who do not meet stereotypical definitions of femininity
🚨 No such testing is mandated in the male category
