New Olympic Eligibility Laws: The Return to Ancient Greek Regulations

The International Olympic Committee's new eligibility policy, starting from 2028, seems to reverse the progress previously achieved in the Olympic games. It states that in two years time athletes who want to participate in the female category will have to go through a gene screening, the make or break moment which could ban them from competing if the test is positive. This sees the performances of freestyle skier Elis Lundholm, weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, runner Caster Semenya and the like, being exceptional opportunities after 2028. 

This is not a regulation which is unlike the severity of ancient Greek eligibility. To perform in the Olympics at Olympia, an athlete had to be male and a Greek citizen. Whilst times have changed, testing women for their "biological" gender is not unlike the ancients competing in the nude (to cast out those who were obviously not male). Kirsty Coventry's focus on female testing is said to be in the best interest for the athletes since a "biologically" male athlete in the female category may have a genetic advantage over their other competitors and could put them at risk of a major injury- particularly for contact sports. As of yet, no attention has been paid to the male category. 

This scrutiny on female participation might prompt future modifications to the Olympics such as a shorter track (just like the female Heraeon Games at Olympia).