France slams return of Olympic gender testing as 'a step backwards'

France said on Friday the International Olympic Committee's decision to introduce gender testing to determine eligibility for the female category was a "step backwards".

"We oppose a generalisation of genetic testing, which raises numerous ethical, legal, and medical questions, particularly in light of French legislation" which does not allow such tests, Sports Minister Marina Ferrari said in a statement.

"These tests, introduced in 1967, were discontinued in 1999 due to strong ​reservations within the scientific community regarding their relevance. France regrets this step backwards," Ferrari said.

The IOC announced on Thursday only "biological females" will be allowed to compete in women's events, preventing transgender women from competing.

It is re-introducing gender testing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics onwards in a move that will also rule out many athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD), previously known as intersex athletes.

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Ferrari said the new IOC policy "defines the female sex without taking into consideration the biological specificities of intersex people whose sexual characteristics present natural variations, which leads to a reductive and potentially stigmatising approach".

She said France would establish a national observatory bringing ⁠together sports bodies, ​scientists, legal experts and athlete representatives to develop recommendations aimed at ensuring sport is "fair, inclusive and respectful of human rights". 

IOC president Kirsty Coventry said on Thursday that athletes from countries where the gender test was banned would have to be tested in other countries.

"If it is illegal in a country, athletes will have the possibility when they travel to other competitions to be tested there," Coventry said.

"This is also why we're saying the policy comes into effect now, but will be implemented in LA 28. So we have time to walk through this process with everyone."

Coventry added: "I do feel that this policy is a policy that is supporting equality and fairness and the protection of the safety on the field of play."

The IOC said there may be "rare exceptions" for DSD athletes who do not benefit from the performance-enhancing effects of testosterone.

Eligibility for the female category will be decided by genetic testing, which will test athletes to see if they have the SRY gene that determines whether a person is biologically male.

The test will be carried out by a swab of the inside of an athlete's cheek or blood samples and will only take place once in an athlete's career.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)