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The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that eligibility for women’s events will be based on biological sex — a landmark win for female athletes worldwide.

In a landmark moment for women and girls, the International Olympic Committee has announced its new policy to protect the female sporting category – confirming that eligibility for women’s events will be based on biological sex.

This is a significant and long-overdue step toward restoring fairness, safety, and integrity in sport, and it is thanks to the tireless efforts of female athletes and advocates from around the world.

For years, female athletes have been asked to accept the loss of opportunities, medals, and even their safety in the name of “inclusion.” But the reality is simple: sex matters in sport. Biological differences between males and females create undeniable performance advantages that cannot be wished away.

The IOC’s new policy recognises this biological reality. It affirms what women have always known: that a separate female category is not discriminatory, but necessary.

Australia Steps Up

Importantly, this decision has been welcomed by key sporting bodies, including the Australian Olympic Committee, which said the new rules will provide female athletes with “fairness and certainty” ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.

At Women’s Forum Australia, we have been proud to contribute to this conversation and advocate for the protection of women’s sport, and we welcomed the IOC’s decision in multiple media interviews.

I joined Caleb Bond on Sky News Australia to discuss why this policy marks a return to common sense, and our Head of Advocacy Stephanie Bastiaan spoke to Sky’s Steve Price about how single-sex sport must be reinstated at every level in Australia.

Stephanie was also quoted at length in The Australian, stating that this is a “timely reminder that sporting bodies in Australia have a responsibility to ensure policies prioritise both safety and fairness for all athletes – not just those competing at the elite level.”

She further noted that “This should also prompt a review of the Sex Discrimination Act to ensure it provides clear, workable protections for sex-based categories in sport, giving sporting bodies the certainty they need to prioritise fairness and safety.”

The Fight Isn’t Over — Every Girl Deserves a Fair Go

Australian sporting bodies – with the support of our legislators – must now follow the IOC’s lead by restoring clear, sex-based protections to ensure that women and girls can compete on a level playing field, free from unfair advantage and risk of harm.

Because this is not just about elite sport.

It is about every girl who deserves a fair go.
Every woman who has trained, sacrificed, and competed with integrity.
And every future generation of female athletes who should inherit sport that is safe, fair, and truly their own.

This decision shows that change is possible.

That truth matters.
That biology matters.
And that when women speak up, the world can listen.

We will continue to advocate for the rights and safety of women and girls in sport and beyond.

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Republished with thanks to Women’s Forum Australia eNews. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.