Lucy Zelić Endorses IOC's Biological Female Policy for 2028 Olympics
Australian sports presenter and commentator Lucy Zelić has publicly supported the International Olympic Committee's landmark decision to restrict women's events exclusively to biological females starting from the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Zelić, a prominent football commentator and media personality, described the move as a crucial and overdue step to safeguard the integrity of women's competition following years of intense global debate.
A Long-Awaited Determination
'I applaud the International Olympic Committee's decision to preserve and protect the female category at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and future Games,' Zelić told Daily Mail. 'This is a much-welcomed but long-overdue determination and will go towards undoing the historic damage and egregious results that the prioritisation of 'inclusion' has produced.'
Under the new IOC framework, athletes competing in women's events will be required to undergo a one-off genetic screening to detect the presence of the SRY gene, which is associated with male biological development. The testing can be conducted via cheek swab, saliva sample, or blood test.
Proportionate Process for Elite Sport
Zelić downplayed concerns about the screening process, describing it as proportionate given the high stakes involved in elite international competition. 'The screening to detect biological sex can be performed via a non-intrusive cheek-swab, saliva test or blood sample and athletes will only have to be tested once in their lifetime,' she explained. 'In the grand scheme of things, this is a small process that will go towards protecting the bigger picture for women and girls in sport.'
The IOC has stated that the policy is grounded in scientific evidence and aims to ensure both fairness and safety in competition, while also acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue and promising support mechanisms for affected athletes.
Support for Affected Athletes
Zelić pointed to those assurances as an important component of the overall framework. 'While there have been confronting instances throughout history where some athletes have discovered through the testing process that they were born with Differences of Sex Development, I commend the IOC's recent announcement that they will focus on providing support mechanisms to assist these participants and their mental health concerns.'
'With all this in mind, it's important to note that this has never been about excluding trans-identified males and those with DSD from sport - it has only ever been about the preservation of the female category.'
Mixed Reactions and Criticism
The policy has been welcomed by numerous athletes and sporting bodies who argue it restores clarity after years of inconsistent rules across different sports and international federations. However, it has also drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations and academics, who warn it could lead to discrimination, privacy concerns, and unintended consequences for women athletes globally.
'The greatest risk is that women and girls all over the world – and especially from the Global South – might be subjected to further hate and discrimination and excluded from sport,' Amnesty International's Steve Cockburn said previously.
Charity organisation Dsdfamilies spokeswoman Ellie Magritte added: 'Fairness in competition is important, but eligibility rules must also be proportionate and aligned with contemporary standards of DSD care, rather than creating foreseeable and avoidable harm to this vulnerable minority group. We are concerned that proposed processes do not always demonstrate the level of understanding, dignity and respect that this issue requires.'
Prioritising the Majority
Zelić acknowledged the decision would impact a small number of competitors but argued the broader implications for women's sport should take precedence. 'I understand that this ruling will affect a minority but we cannot continue to place the needs of a minority over the majority of women when so much is at stake.'
Opponents of the IOC's stance have described the move as regressive, with some advocacy groups calling it a 'backwards step' that undermines inclusion and diversity in sport. Zelić rejected that characterisation in strong terms.
Rejecting 'Backwards Step' Claims
'I have seen some commentary from human rights advocates suggesting that this is a 'sad day' or a 'backwards step' which is such disappointing analysis,' she said. 'Elite individual and team sports has never, nor should it have ever, been about inclusion. It's about the best athletes in the world being given an opportunity to compete fairly, safely, and be rewarded for their life-long dedication to their chosen sport.'
'For many of these female athletes, their sacrifices and struggles to achieve said greatness has been undermined and corrupted by ideologues who have shown little regard for the human rights of these women.'
Broader Implications for Women's Sport
The debate over gender eligibility has intensified significantly in recent years, with different international federations adopting varying rules on testosterone levels and participation. The IOC's decision marks a substantial shift toward a unified, global standard.
For Zelić, the issue extends beyond elite competition and speaks to the broader status of women in sport at all levels. 'We are not 'biological' women, we are not 'cis-gender' women - we are just women. Talented, strong, ambitious and deserving of protection, safety and a level playing field which should exist from the elite level, right down to the grassroots.'
'My hope is that this seismic shift in common sense policy will have a protracted effect and will be adopted by other stubborn sporting federations and governing bodies like Football Australia and Netball Australia.'
Addressing Performance Advantages
Supporters of stricter eligibility rules argue that biological differences can confer performance advantages that cannot be fully mitigated, while critics maintain the science remains contested and policies risk oversimplifying complex biological realities.
Zelić emphasised that female athletes have already faced significant barriers and should not be further disadvantaged. 'Female athletes have had to overcome significant challenges in their quest to be taken seriously, receive funding, and achieve recognition as genuine competitors. The inclusion of trans-identified males and athletes with Differences of Sex Development has long compromised the integrity of women's sport.'
She also dismissed the notion that hormone treatment alone can address concerns around competitive fairness. 'It's also utter nonsense to suggest that male advantage can be extinguished via the suppression of testosterone. Our very own Australian Sports Commission guidelines acknowledge this but it seems that common sense has been corrupted by the concept of inclusion, which has been reckless and dangerous.'
Ongoing Scrutiny and Implementation
The IOC has maintained that its decision is based on extensive consultation with medical experts and athletes, and that the policy will not apply retrospectively or to grassroots sport. As preparations continue for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the ruling is expected to face ongoing scrutiny, with potential legal challenges and further debate likely as sporting bodies worldwide move to align with the new framework.
