IOC moves toward full ban on transgender women in female events
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is moving closer to enforcing a complete ban on transgender women competing in female events, signaling a major shift in Olympic policy.
Under the leadership of newly elected IOC president Kirsty Coventry, the organization aims to establish a unified global framework to “protect the integrity of the female category” across all sports. A move that could take effect within the next six to twelve months, in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Previously, individual federations were allowed to set their own inclusion rules, but Coventry is pushing for consistency, citing scientific reviews highlighting the long-term physical advantages of being born male.
The potential policy is also expected to align with the stance of U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier signed an executive order barring transgender women from competing in female sports.
However, the IOC continues to face internal debate over how to handle athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD), those reported female at birth but with male chromosomes and elevated testosterone levels.
