International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday it was reintroducing testing for gender to determine eligibility to compete in the female category, preventing transgender women from competing.

The screening will mean Olympic women’s sports at the 2028 Los Angeles Games will be limited to biological females, which would also rule out those with differences in sexual development (DSD) from competing.

The IOC is abandoning rules it brought in in 2021, which allowed individual federations to decide their own policy and implement a policy across all sports.

“Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one‑time SRY gene screening,” the IOC said in a statement.

The test will be carried out through a saliva sample, cheek swab or blood sample.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry said: “The policy we have announced is based on science and has been led by medical experts.

“At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat.

“So it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”

The IOC is bringing in the new policy after the women’s boxing competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics was rocked by a gender row involving Algerian fighter Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan.

Khelif and Lin were excluded from the International Boxing Association’s 2023 world championships after the IBA said they had failed eligibility tests.

However, the IOC allowed them both to compete at the Paris Games, saying they had been victims of “a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA”.

Both boxers went on to win gold medals.

Lin has since been cleared to compete in the female category at events run by World Boxing, the body that will oversee the sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Gender testing was first introduced at the 1968 Olympics and last used at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, but then scrapped after criticism from the scientific community

Tijani Fatai has officially assumed office as the 42nd Commissioner of Police for Lagos State Command.

His appointment was confirmed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Ikeja, Abimbola Adebisi.

He takes over from Olohundare Jimoh, who served as the 41st Commissioner of Police from February 18, 2025, to March 26, 2026.

Fatai, a native of Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, attended Anwar-ul-Islam College, Agege, between 1979 and 1984.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

He enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police on June 10, 1994 and has held several strategic positions across the country.

Prior to his latest posting, he served as Commissioner of Police, Eastern Port, Port Harcourt.

His previous assignments include Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Department of Operations at the Maritime Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, and at the Lagos State Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

He also served as Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Department of Finance and Administration, Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos.

Other roles held by the new commissioner include Area Commander in Ilaro, Ogun State; Maiduguri Metro, Borno State; and Area C, Surulere, Lagos. He also served as Squadron Commander of 5 Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Benin, Edo State, and 17 PMF in Akure, Ondo State.

Additionally, he was Officer-in-Charge of the Homicide Section at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lagos, and Divisional Police Officer in Ogere, Ogun State, as well as Ijanikin and Alakara in Lagos State.

Fatai is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

According to the statement, his “track record of leadership, professionalism, and dedication to duty underscores his preparedness to steer the affairs of the Lagos State Police Command effectively.”

The new Commissioner of Police reassured stakeholders and residents of his commitment to consolidating ongoing reforms, enhancing internal security, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and fostering community partnerships.

He also pledged to advance the mandate of protecting lives and property in line with global best practices.

“The Lagos State Police Command therefore, solicits the continued support and cooperation of the public as the new leadership works to deepen professionalism, discipline, and service delivery,” the statement added.

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains a formidable political force despite ongoing internal crises.

Saraki made the remarks on Thursday while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he dismissed claims that the opposition party had lost relevance.

Responding to insinuations that the PDP is “dead and buried”, Saraki said such perceptions are largely driven by elite political disagreements rather than the reality at the grassroots.

“When you stay here in Abuja, you might say that because of the noise that comes out from the leaders having their disagreement. But when you go out to the states, and you go into the grassroots in different states, you’ll find that PDP is still very, very strong,” he said.

Using Kwara State as an example, the former governor explained that feedback from party stakeholders and grassroots members continues to reflect strong loyalty to the PDP.

“People still have this love and this affiliation for PDP… So yes, there is a lot of noise. But across the country, PDP is still a household name. Is it sellable? It is sellable, very sellable, not only in Kwara, but across the board,” he added.

On internal party matters, Saraki disclosed that although he initially opposed the PDP convention held in Ibadan, he later allowed delegates from Kwara State to participate after assurances that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be present to ensure legitimacy.

He, however, noted that the commission did not attend, stressing that the exercise ought to have been halted under such circumstances. Saraki maintained that his position was guided by principle and the need to uphold due process within the party.

The former Senate President also dismissed rumours suggesting he was considering defection to the All Progressives Congress or other political platforms, reaffirming his commitment to the PDP. He explained that his recent low profile was due to his decision not to contest in upcoming elections, rather than any loss of interest in party affairs.

Saraki further confirmed his intention to attend the party’s forthcoming national convention and urged members to do the same in a bid to strengthen internal cohesion.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, he advocated for an inclusive and balanced approach to leadership selection within the party. According to him, the PDP presidential ticket should be zoned to the South, while the national chairman position should be allocated to the North-Central region to ensure equity.

He acknowledged that the party’s current challenges have set it back but expressed optimism that the crisis could ultimately strengthen its prospects if properly managed. Saraki also warned against the dangers of a one-party state, noting that a strong opposition remains vital to Nigeria’s democracy.