The European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF) strongly condemns the International Olympic Committee’s decision to reintroduce sex testing and to exclude transgender women and most women with intersex variations from women’s competition.

The policy revives outdated, discredited practices that the IOC themselves rejected last century; practices which police women’s bodies, reinforce harmful stereotypes, and place athletes at risk of invasive scrutiny, humiliation, and exclusion. There is no credible evidence that such measures improve fairness in sport; there is, however, extensive evidence of the harm they cause. For further reading, see here. 

The IOC’s decision marks a clear departure from its own human rights-based framework adopted in 2021. Instead of advancing inclusion, it legitimises discrimination and shifts responsibility onto federations in ways that will further entrench inequality across international sport.

As a grassroots sports federation, we know that policies like this cascade down through sporting systems, creating fear, exclusion, and barriers at grassroots level, particularly for those already marginalised. They undermine the fundamental principle that sport should be accessible, safe, and welcoming for all.

EGLSF rejects this direction unequivocally. The EuroGames will continue to uphold inclusive participation policies, and these will not change. We remain committed to creating spaces where transgender and intersex people can participate fully and safely in sport, without being subjected to invasive or discriminatory practices.

We stand in solidarity with all athletes affected by this decision and with the wider movement working to defend human rights in sport. The future of sport must be built on inclusion, dignity, and respect, not exclusion and control.