IOC Moves Closer To Ban On Transgender Women

The International Olympic Committee has moved a step closer to introducing a blanket ban on transgender women from female categories across all sports.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry vowed to bring in the policy as part of her election campaign.

On Monday the Times reported, external that the ban was set to be announced early next year after a presentation to IOC members by its medical chief.

In response, the IOC said that “the working group is continuing its discussions on this topic and no decisions have been taken yet”.

However, sources have told BBC Sport told that a ban is likely to be introduced in 2026.

Last week, the IOC’s medical and scientific director Dr Jane Thornton gave an update to its members as the organisation works through the details of the potential move.

Initial findings of her review are thought to have highlighted the physiological advantages that athletes born male retain, even after reducing testosterone levels. A blanket ban is unlikely to be introduced before the 2026 Winter Olympics, but could be brought in before the Los Angeles Games in 2028.

Back in March, former swimmer Coventry – a seven-time Olympic medallist – told BBC Sport that the IOC must “play a leading role” in discussions in this area, hinting at a major shift in approach.

The IOC has previously left sex eligibility regulations to the governing bodies of individual sports, rather than applying a universal approach, with many allowing transgender women athletes to compete in female competition if they lowered their testosterone levels.

In June, after being elected, Coventry said a working group on the issue made up of experts and international federations would “ensure that we find consensus”.

She added that IOC members had shown “overwhelming support” to protecting the female category in sport.

However, the president of the International Paralympic Committee has previously said he is opposed to “blanket solutions” for transgender participation policies.