Transgender Athletes Will Be Excluded from Women’s Olympic Games: The Times

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will announce a ban on the participation of transgender athletes in women’s events at the Olympic Games at the beginning of 2026. It is likely that the restrictions will also apply to athletes with sexual development disorders, such as boxer Imaan Helif. This information was reported by The Times.

Last week in Lausanne, Jane Thornton, the chair of the IOC's Medical and Scientific Commission, presented preliminary findings from a study demonstrating that physical advantages for individuals assigned male at birth persist even when undergoing treatment to lower testosterone levels.

“It was a very scientific, factual, and impartial presentation that clearly laid out the evidence,” said a source from the newspaper.

In 2021, the IOC had delegated the authority to allow such athletes to participate in competitions to international federations. Several federations, including World Athletics and World Aquatics, have already effectively banned them from competing in women’s events.