The International Olympic Committee appears to be moving toward declaring a complete ban on male-born competing in female categories across all sports — a policy likely to take effect by the 2028 Summer Olympics, the Daily Mail reported on Monday.
Olympic sources confirmed that such a measure is very much the "direction" of the IOC, but it is highly unlikely the rule will be in force before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy in February.
A rule change could be announced by February, according to a source, but insiders said it would take between six months and a year for it to be approved and cleared.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry promised to introduce such a policy as part of her election campaign, and The Times of London reported Monday that the ban will be announced in early 2026 following a presentation to IOC members by the committee's medical chief.
The IOC said in response that "the working group is continuing its discussions on this topic, and no decisions have been taken yet."
However, sources have told BBC Sport that a ban is likely to be introduced next year, although it would take time to implement.
Last week, the IOC's medical and scientific director, Dr. Jane Thornton, provided an update to members, with initial findings from her review believed to highlight the physiological advantages athletes born male retain even after lowering testosterone levels.
In March, Coventry — a seven-time Olympic swimming medalist — told BBC Sport that the IOC must "play a leading role" in discussions on this topic, which signaled a major shift in approach.
Previously, the IOC left sex-eligibility regulations to the governing bodies of individual sports, rather than applying a universal approach.
In June, after being elected, Coventry said a working group composed of experts and international federations would "ensure that we find consensus," rather than permit some sports to allow transgender women to compete in female divisions if they lowered their testosterone levels.
She added that IOC members had shown "overwhelming support" to protecting the female category in sports.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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