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Two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya has issued a fierce rebuke of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), condemning its new gender eligibility rules as 鈥渄isrespect for women鈥�.

The IOC鈥檚 policy, which is set to take effect at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, will ban transgender women from competing in the female category and introduce mandatory SRY gene testing for all women athletes. Officials say the move is grounded in fairness and safety, with IOC president Kirsty Coventry stating it is 鈥渁bsolutely clear鈥� it would not be fair, and in some cases 鈥渘ot be safe鈥�, for athletes who have undergone male puberty to compete in the women鈥檚 category.

However, human rights experts strongly reject that framing, with more than calling the policy 鈥渁 blunt and discriminatory response鈥� that is 鈥渘ot supported by science鈥�, while warning it risks policing women鈥檚 bodies and causing harm rather than ensuring safety.

Semenya, who has long challenged regulations targeting athletes with intersex status, said the policy undermines dignity and autonomy. She also criticised Kirsty Coventry, expressing disappointment in her leadership on an issue deeply affecting marginalised athletes.

LGBTQ+ athletes argue the policy is less about fairness and more about exclusion.

Nonbinary US Olympian Nikki Hiltz did not hold back, calling the decision and adding it is 鈥渘ot solving a problem that exists.鈥� Hiltz also warned of broader consequences, stating: 鈥淎ttacks on trans people have consistently led to more policing and regulation of ALL women鈥檚 bodies.鈥�

Trans hockey trailblazer Harrison Browne similarly , warning it represents an infringement on the rights of all women athletes, not just those who are trans. Meanwhile, trans rugby player Devin Iba帽ez and Team USA triathlete Chris Mosier and what Mosier described as a dangerous precedent of genetic surveillance in sport.

Critics have also pointed out that transgender participation at the Olympic level is vanishingly rare鈥攁mounting to just a handful of athletes in history, with only one openly trans woman ever competing in the women鈥檚 category鈥攗ndermining the rationale behind sweeping restrictions.

Beyond individual athletes, advocacy groups have echoed these concerns, warning the policy could expose women to increased scrutiny, invasive testing, and public speculation about their bodies. Some argue it revives discredited practices abandoned decades ago due to ethical and scientific concerns.