IOC agrees on new gender policy

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) achieved its goal of full 50:50 gender parity in athlete participation at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but with a limit on total athlete participation, more women meant fewer men. Women’s events were to create a fair platform, but now gender identity has become an issue.

The IOC has been working on policy, which initially had been for each sport to create regulations. But that has proven complicated, and now is seeking a uniform standard. As Sailing is an Olympic sport, what the IOC decides can trickle down to all levels of the sport.

The latest news is how the IOC’s Protection of the Female Category Working Group is set to announce their findings during the first half of 2026, having reached a consensus on a new set of eligibility criteria for transgender athletes.

The working group is the brainchild of new IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who stressed her mission to “protect the female category and female athletes” during her presidential campaign and address the growing concern about policies regarding transgender and DSD (differences of sexual development) athletes. – Full report

Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Sailing Program (July 16-28):
First Week – July 16-20
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class – Long Beach, CA
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class – Long Beach, CA
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL – Long Beach, CA
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL – Long Beach, CA

Second Week – July 23-28
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7 – Los Angeles, CA
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6 – Los Angeles, CA
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470 – Los Angeles, CA
Men’s Skiff – 49er – Los Angeles, CA
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX – Los Angeles, CA
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17 – Los Angeles, CA

For more details, click here.