Transgender women are set to be prohibited from participating in women’s events at the Olympic Games. This decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stems from a scientific review highlighting the inherent physical advantages of being biologically male.
A report by The Times indicates that the IOC is poised to unveil its new policy early next year. Previously, the IOC allowed transgender women to compete with lowered testosterone levels, leaving the final decision to individual sports federations.
Under the leadership of new president Kirsty Coventry, the IOC is shifting its stance to safeguard the integrity of the female category. Dr. Jane Thornton, the committee’s medical and scientific director and a former Olympic rower from Canada, presented the review’s initial findings to IOC members during a recent meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Thornton reportedly emphasized the persistent physical benefits of being born male, even after undergoing treatments to reduce testosterone levels. Sources described her presentation as factual and well-received by IOC members.
The current statement on Olympics.com emphasizes non-discrimination based on gender identity or sex characteristics for qualified athletes. However, recent controversies, like the case of boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting at the Paris Olympics, have prompted stricter gender eligibility measures in sports like boxing.
The IOC is expected to formalize its updated policy in early 2026, potentially coinciding with the Winter Olympics session in February. Coventry emphasized the importance of protecting the female category while acknowledging variations across sports and the need for a scientific and collaborative approach.
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