The International Olympics Committee (IOC) is moving closer to implementing a blanket ban on transgender women from female categories across all sports after medical evidence revealed certain advantages associated with being born male.
IOC President Kristy Coventry pledged to protect women's sport during her election campaign and also set up a working for this specific purpose.
According to The Times, a presentation by the IOC’s medical and scientific director, Dr Jane Thornton, has revealed that transgender athletes who were born male hold certain physiological advantages over biological females even after lowering testosterone levels.
It has been revealed that any blanket ban is unlikely before the 2026 Winter Olympics, however, the fate of athletes with differences in sex development (DSD), such as Imane Khelif, in women’s sports remains unclear.
The IOC confirmed that discussions are taking place, however, no decisions have been reached yet.
This major policy shift could be implemented before the Los Angeles Games 2028.
This decision by the IOC would also solidify the United States President Donald Trump’s position regarding transgender athletes in female sports.
He signed an executive order, in February, barring transgender athletes from competing in women's events.