IOC moves closer to ban on transgender women [View all]

Source: BBC

10 November 2025, 13:02 GMT

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.

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.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cy4p29j4z70o