France, March 27 -- France's Sports Minister Marina Ferrari said the test, which is banned under French law, "raises major concerns, as it specifically targets women by introducing a distinction that undermines the principle of equality".

"France regrets this step backwards," Ferrari added, recalling that the IOC scrapped a similar test in 1999 "due to strong reservations from the scientific community regarding their usefulness".

The IOC announced on Thursday only "biological females" will be allowed to take part 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 which will also rule out many athletes with differences in sexual develop...