Transgender women are set to be prohibited from participating in women’s events at the Olympic Games. The decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) comes after a scientific review highlighted the inherent physical advantages of individuals born as male.
According to a report by The Times, the IOC is expected to unveil its new policy early next year. Previously, the IOC allowed transgender women to compete with reduced testosterone levels, leaving the final decision to individual sports federations.
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 Olympic rower from Canada, presented the initial review findings to IOC members at a recent meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Thornton reportedly emphasized the enduring physical benefits of being born male, even after undergoing treatments to lower testosterone levels. Sources described the presentation as scientific, factual, and well-received by IOC members.
The IOC is expected to announce its revised policy in early 2026, possibly coinciding with the Winter Olympics session in February. Coventry stressed the importance of protecting the female category while acknowledging the variations across sports and the need for a scientific and collaborative approach involving international federations.
In related developments, the boxing tournament at the Paris Olympics witnessed controversy when gold medals were awarded to two boxers, Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan, despite their disqualification from the previous year’s World Championships due to gender eligibility issues. The newly recognized World Boxing organization has now implemented mandatory sex testing, preventing Khelif from competing in the female category until compliance.
Sky has introduced discounted rates for its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, offering substantial savings and access to over 1,400 live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL. Sky is set to broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League games next season, a significant increase from previous seasons.