Gauff backs Olympic gender testing for fairness, warns against attacks on trans community

LONDON: World number two Coco Gauff said she supports mandatory genetic testing for tennis players at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in the interest of fairness but warned the policy could fuel attacks on the transgender community.

The International Olympic Committee approved mandatory testing for the DNA segment known as the SRY gene for all tennis competitors at the Los Angeles Games, aligning the sport with several other Olympic disciplines that already conduct gender-based eligibility screening.

Track and field, boxing and some winter sports are among the events where governing bodies have introduced similar measures as part of athlete eligibility requirements.

Speaking after defeating fellow American Kayla Day in the second round of the National Bank Open in Toronto on Wednesday, Gauff said she understood the rationale behind the decision but expressed concern about the wider debate surrounding the issue.

“I kind of agree with trying to protect the fairness in women’s sports,” Gauff told reporters.

The 22-year-old, however, said she was uncomfortable with the way the issue has become increasingly politicised.

“I also do not like the attack that it is creating,” Gauff said. “People who don’t really care, but just want to use this as a reason to attack the trans community. So I’m not really a big fan of that either.”

Gauff said discussions around athlete eligibility should remain focused on fairness in competition rather than becoming a platform for broader political or social divisions.