The decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to prohibit transgender women from participating in women’s events at the Olympic Games is based on a scientific review highlighting the lasting physical advantages of being biologically male.
A report from The Times suggests that the IOC is set to unveil its new policy early next year. Previously, the IOC allowed transgender women to compete with reduced testosterone levels, delegating the final decision to individual sports.
Under the leadership of new president Kirsty Coventry, the IOC is shifting its stance to safeguard the integrity of the female category. Dr. Jane Thornton, the committee’s medical and scientific director and a former Canadian Olympic rower, presented the initial findings of the review at a recent meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
According to sources, the presentation was factual and evidence-based, highlighting the enduring physical advantages of being born male even after undergoing treatments to lower testosterone levels. The feedback from IOC members following the presentation was reportedly positive.
The IOC is expected to announce the new policy in early 2026, potentially coinciding with the Winter Olympics session in February. Coventry emphasized the importance of protecting the female category while collaborating with international federations to ensure a scientific and inclusive approach.
In a recent development, mandatory sex testing has been introduced by World Boxing, the IOC-recognized international boxing federation, following controversies at the Paris Olympics involving gold medalists Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan. Khelif will need to undergo sex testing before being eligible to compete in the female category.
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