Transgender women are set to be barred from participating in women’s events at the Olympic Games. This decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) comes after a scientific review highlighted the inherent physical advantages of being biologically male.
According to a report by The Times, the IOC is expected to unveil its new policy early next year. Previously, the IOC allowed transgender women to compete with reduced testosterone levels, leaving the final decision to individual sports federations.
Under the leadership of the new president, Kirsty Coventry, the IOC aims to safeguard the integrity of female competitions. Dr. Jane Thornton, the committee’s medical and scientific director and a former Canadian Olympic rower, presented the initial findings of the review at a recent meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Thornton reportedly emphasized the scientific evidence demonstrating the enduring physical benefits of being born male, even after undergoing treatments to lower testosterone levels.
Sources indicate that the presentation was factual and well-received by IOC members. The current stance on Olympics.com emphasizes non-discrimination based on gender identity or sex characteristics for athletes who meet eligibility criteria.
Controversy arose during the boxing tournament at the Paris Olympics when two gold medalists, Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan, were previously disqualified from the World Championships for alleged gender eligibility issues. The International Boxing Federation, recognized by the IOC post-Paris, has introduced mandatory sex testing.
The IOC is expected to formalize its new policy in early 2026, potentially during the Winter Olympics session in February. Coventry stressed the importance of prioritizing the protection of women’s categories while collaborating with stakeholders and leveraging scientific input.
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