The International Olympic Committee is scrapping its gender equality, diversity and inclusion panel in a major reorganization

The International Olympic Committee is removing its Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission months after adopting new gender eligibility rules.

IOC mandates gene screening to protect women's sports

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is axing its Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission as the organization undergoes a culture change under new president Kirsty Coventry. Under Coventry, the most notable change came earlier this year, when the IOC outright banned biological males from women's sports.

This week's cuts are part of a restructuring that will replace 12 permanent advisory bodies with smaller working groups set up to deal with specific issues.

Friday's announcement comes months after the International Olympic Committee approved new eligibility rules that will introduce women's Olympic competition for biological women starting at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, a policy that addresses a central issue in the debate over fairness and safety in women's sports.

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The International Olympic Committee's Human Rights Advisory Committee will stand alongside commissions covering sustainability, technology, education and business partnerships. The organization said that these changes were made after more than a year of consultation and review.

In an official announcement, the IOC said the new arrangements would enable "a more targeted commitment to key strategic priorities and policy development". Athletes Commission, Ethics Commission, Audit Committee and other organizational bodies will continue their activities.

The resulting policy, announced March 26, requires one-time screening for the SRY gene, which is commonly associated with male sexual development. It excludes transgender women from women's Olympic competition and also affects some athletes with differences in sexual development, with limited exceptions. These rules do not apply retroactively or to recreational sports.

Coventry defended this policy to protect competition.

"It's not fair for biological men to compete in the women's category," he said when announcing the rules. He also emphasized the dignity of athletes, access to medical advice and guidance.

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The policy is in line with President Donald Trump's push for gender-based eligibility in women's sports. His executive order in February 2025 directed the secretary of state to push the IOC to adopt standards based on gender rather than gender identity or testosterone reduction.

The IOC's approach has led to different reactions. Reem Al Salem, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, welcomed the eligibility policy as protecting the fairness and safety of female athletes. Human Rights Watch opposed mandatory genetic screening, arguing that it threatens privacy and could discriminate against women of different sexual characteristics.

Friday's restructuring follows a shutdown of the affected commissions that began in February. The IOC said it will now bring together experts through working groups with clearly defined tasks to guide future decisions.

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