Trump Proposes Mandatory Gender Verification for 2028 Olympics Amid Eligibility Controversy

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U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that female athletes participating in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics may face mandatory gender verification procedures. This development follows intense debate surrounding athlete eligibility at the recent Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Trump stated, “There is going to be a very strong form of testing,” adding that athletes who fail to meet the established criteria “won’t be in the Olympics.”

The president’s remarks were in response to growing scrutiny over gender classification in elite women’s sports. He also noted that the U.S. Attorney General would determine if criminal charges are appropriate for individuals who misrepresent their gender to compete.

The issue gained traction during the Paris Games, where Algerian welterweight Imane Khelif and Taiwanese featherweight Lin Yu-ting both won gold medals. Their victories sparked controversy due to their prior exclusion from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi for failing to meet gender eligibility standards set by the International Boxing Association (IBA).

Although the IBA did not administer testosterone tests to either athlete, it claimed that both underwent undisclosed assessments that confirmed they did not meet eligibility criteria. According to the IBA, the athletes possessed “competitive advantages” over other female participants.

In contrast, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed participation in the Paris Games based on passport documentation, diverging from stricter policies used by other international sports bodies.

This discrepancy in standards has fueled debate among policymakers, athletes, and the public. Supporters of stricter verification cite competitive fairness, while critics warn of discrimination and potential human rights violations.

The IOC removed recognition of the IBA in June 2023 due to governance concerns, assuming responsibility for overseeing Olympic boxing. The decision led to differing eligibility protocols at the Paris Games compared to other global tournaments.

With the U.S. hosting the Summer Olympics for the third time in 2028, the president announced a new White House working group to oversee the event’s organization and integrity. Trump confirmed he would personally chair the committee.

In parallel, World Athletics has introduced revised eligibility rules for female competitors at the Tokyo World Championships. The updated guidelines require a one-time genetic screening, either via cheek swab or blood sample, to verify eligibility.

Experts remain divided on the implications of these changes. Dr. Sandra Miller, a sports law scholar at Georgetown University, stated, “Mandating genetic testing may present ethical and legal challenges, particularly concerning athletes’ rights and medical privacy.”

Conversely, former Olympic coach Mark Reynolds supports the initiative, citing the need for consistency: “Standardized testing helps level the playing field. Without it, the integrity of women’s competition is at risk.”

Public opinion is similarly split. Advocacy groups like Fair Play for Women have praised Trump’s announcement, while human rights organizations have voiced alarm over the potential for misuse and exclusion.

As preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics advance, the international community will closely monitor how gender eligibility policies evolve. The debate underscores the growing intersection between science, identity, and sports governance on the world stage.