Transgender women will be prohibited from participating in women’s events at the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made this decision based on a scientific review highlighting the inherent physical advantages of being biologically male.
An upcoming policy change by the IOC is expected to be announced early next year, as reported by the Times. Previously, transgender women were permitted to compete with reduced testosterone levels, with individual sports responsible for final decisions.
Under the leadership of new president Kirsty Coventry, the IOC is shifting its stance to safeguard the integrity of women’s competitions. Dr. Jane Thornton, the committee’s medical and scientific director and a former Canadian Olympic rower, shared the review’s initial findings at a recent meeting in Switzerland.
Thornton emphasized that scientific evidence indicates enduring physical advantages for athletes born male, even after undergoing testosterone level adjustments. Sources describe the presentation as factual and well-received by IOC members.
The current position on Olympics.com asserts non-discrimination based on gender identity or sex characteristics for qualified athletes. However, recent controversies at the Paris Olympics involving disqualified boxers have prompted stricter measures, including mandatory sex testing by World Boxing, an IOC-recognized federation.
The IOC is anticipated to unveil its revised policy in early 2026, potentially coinciding with the Winter Olympics session in February. Coventry has emphasized the importance of upholding the female category’s integrity through a collaborative and scientifically informed approach involving international sports federations.
Sky has discounted its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, offering savings of £192 and access to over 1,400 live matches across various leagues. The upcoming season will feature at least 215 live Premier League matches, a significant increase from previous coverage.
At Reach and our affiliated entities, we use cookies and other identifiers to enhance site experience, analyze usage patterns, and display personalized ads. You can manage your data preferences by opting out of data sharing or sale via the website’s settings. Your continued use of our services indicates acceptance of cookie usage and adherence to our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.