Olympics Poised To Ban Transgender And ‘DSD’ Competitors After “Finding Scientific Evidence”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will ban transgender women and athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) from female events starting early next year. 

The move follows a science-based review that found permanent physical advantages in athletes born male.

Under current IOC rules, transgender women can compete in female events if they lower their testosterone levels, but individual sports have been allowed to set their own rules. 

The International Olympic Committee is expected to ban transgender athletes from competing in female events

Woman in pink blazer at podium with Olympic rings during president handover ceremony for Olympics policy on transgender and DSD competitors.

Image credits: Harold Cunningham/Getty Images

That will change under the leadership of new IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who has repeatedly emphasized the need to protect the female category.

Dr. Jane Thornton, the IOC’s medical and scientific director, presented the initial findings of the review to members in Lausanne last week.

According to sources, her presentation detailed evidence showing that physical advantages from male puberty remain even after testosterone suppression. 

“It was a very scientific, factual and unemotional presentation which quite clearly laid out the evidence,” one source told The Times.

Weightlifter lifting a barbell at the Olympics, related to transgender and DSD competitors ban discussion.

Image credits: Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Another source said IOC members reacted positively to the findings. 

The new policy is expected to cover DSD athletes as well. These athletes are raised as girls but have male chromosomes and testosterone levels similar to those of males. 

The issue gained international attention at the Paris 2024 Olympics, when boxer Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan won gold medals despite prior disqualifications at the World Championships due to gender eligibility concerns. 

World Boxing has since introduced mandatory sex testing and stated that Khelif cannot compete in the female category until she completes the tests.

Boxer in red gear with Algerian flag inside a ring, illustrating Olympics poised to ban transgender and DSD competitors.

Image credits: Robert Hradil/Getty Images

Some sports, such as athletics and swimming, already ban athletes who have gone through male puberty from competing in female events. Others, including football, have not applied such restrictions. 

Coventry, who won two Olympic swimming gold medals for Zimbabwe, said the IOC seeks a consensus-based approach with international federations. 

“We understand there will be differences depending on the sports. We should make the effort to place emphasis on the protection of the female category, and we should ensure that this is done in consensus with all the stakeholders,” she said in June.

The ban follows science-based findings showing that physical advantages are retained after puberty

Olympic boxer adjusting red uniform in ring, highlighting debate on transgender and DSD competitors in sports competitions.

Image credits: Richard Pelham/Getty Images

“But we need to do that with a scientific approach and the inclusion of the international federations who have already done a lot of work in this area,” she added.

The IOC has not finalized the policy, and legal reviews are ongoing to ensure the new rules are watertight. 

Officials expect the ban to be officially announced in early 2026, possibly during the IOC session at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy, come February. 

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