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The International Olympic Committee is moving toward a comprehensive ban on transgender women competing in female Olympic events. The IOC could announce the policy early next year, potentially during the Winter Olympics in February, with plans to implement it before the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
A scientific review drives the shift, presented last week by Dr. Jane Thornton, the IOC's director of health, medicine and science, showing permanent physical advantages for athletes assigned male at birth, even after testosterone reduction. IOC President Kirsty Coventry has cited "overwhelming support" among members to "protect the female category".
Official Position
The IOC emphasized the IOC has made no final decision. In an official statement, the organization said: "An update was given by the IOC's director of health, medicine and science to the IOC members last week during the IOC commission meetings. The working group is continuing its discussions on this topic and no decisions have been taken yet. Further information will be provided in due course."
The proposed policy would affect athletes like Laurel Hubbard, who became the first openly transgender woman to compete in a solo Olympic event at Tokyo 2021, and boxer Imane Khelif, who won gold at Paris 2024 amid gender eligibility controversy. Swimmer Lia Thomas and cyclist Emily Bridges, along with BMX rider Chelsea Wolfe, have already faced bans--their respective sports federations have already barred them from competition.
Broader Context
Currently, the IOC offers only non-binding guidance, allowing individual sports to set their own rules. World Athletics has already barred athletes with differences in sex development from the female category, while FIFA permits them in women's football.
The IOC is reportedly considering similar testing methods, including genetic screening, to ensure any new policy is legally sound. The move also appears to aim at avoiding potential conflict with US policy ahead of the LA Games.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
