Italian endocrinologist Luigi Di Luigi has criticized the International Olympic Committee’s latest policy banning transgender women from competing in the female category, calling it a regressive move that could put athletes with Differences of Sex Development (DSD) at risk.
He argued that the proposed sex-testing measures are not scientifically comprehensive and fail to address the complexity of conditions such as hyperandrogenism and DSD, warning that treating these issues the same way is inaccurate and unfair. According to Di Luigi, the tests focus only on limited biological markers and overlook many relevant medical conditions, raising concerns about fairness and scientific rigor.
The policy has sparked global debate, drawing criticism from medical professionals, athletes, and policymakers. French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari described the move as undermining equality by specifically targeting women, a view echoed by experts at a sports medicine congress in Rome.
The issue has also reignited discussions involving athletes such as Caster Semenya, who has long been at the center of debates over gender eligibility in sport.
Meanwhile, IOC President Kirsty Coventry defended the decision, stating that the policy is based on scientific advice and aims to ensure fair competition while maintaining respect and dignity for all athletes. The new guidelines include a one-time SRY gene test for those entering the female category.
However, critics argue that the testing system lacks clarity and consistency, and may fail to account for all biological variations. Di Luigi emphasized that a more thorough and scientifically sound approach is needed to balance fairness in competition with the rights and health of athletes, especially ahead of future events like the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
