Transgender women are set to be excluded from participating in female-only events at the Olympic Games. The decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) comes after a scientific review highlighted the enduring physical advantages of individuals born 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 new president Kirsty Coventry, the IOC’s position is shifting towards safeguarding the integrity of the female category. The committee’s medical and scientific director, Dr. Jane Thornton, recently presented the initial findings of the review to IOC members in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Dr. Thornton, a former Olympic rower from Canada, emphasized that scientific evidence indicates persistent physical advantages for athletes born male, even after undergoing treatments to lower testosterone levels. Sources described her presentation as objective and well-received by IOC members.
Presently, Olympics.com states, “The IOC supports the participation of any athlete who has qualified and met the eligibility criteria to compete in the Olympic Games,” without discrimination based on gender identity or sex characteristics established by the respective International Federations.
The boxing tournament at the Paris Olympics sparked controversy when two gold medalists, Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan, were disqualified from the previous year’s World Championships for alleged gender eligibility violations. The World Boxing Federation, recognized by the IOC post-Paris, has now introduced mandatory sex testing, preventing Khelif from competing in the female category until compliance.
The IOC is anticipated to announce its revised policy in early 2026, possibly coinciding with the Winter Olympics in February. Coventry, a former Zimbabwean Olympic swimmer elected as president this year, emphasized the need to prioritize the protection of the female category, aligning with scientific approaches and input from international federations.
Ahead of the 2025/26 season, Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, offering savings of £192 and access to over 1,400 live matches covering the Premier League, EFL, and more. Additionally, Sky will broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League games next season, a significant increase from previous seasons.