Olympics 'Set To Ban' Trans Athletes From Female Events After Scientific Study

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) are set to reach a final decision on whether to ban transgender women from competing in female Olympic events, it has been reported.

Previously, the IOC released complex framework in November 2021 which aimed to, as per the official Olympics website, 'provide pathways to inclusion in elite sport for all athletes, without discriminating on the basis of gender identity or sex variations, while defining disproportionate advantage in ways that preserve meaningful and fair competition'.

Their guidance has been that transgender women are able to compete in Olympic sports if they have reduced testosterone levels, though it is ultimately the individual sporting bodies that have the final decision.

In 2021, New Zealand's Laurel Hubbard became the first transgender woman to compete in an Olympic event, with the 43-year-old placing last in her group despite being tipped as a medal contender.

The debate surrounding the issue intensified in 2022, when US swimmer Lia Thomas became the first transgender female swimmer to win an NCAA Division I national championship in any sport by winning the women's 500-yard freestyle event.

Later that year, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) voted to ban transgender women who have gone through male puberty from competing in professional women's swimming events, with exceptions for those who had not experienced beyond stage 2 on the Tanner scale.

In the United States, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women from competing in all female sporting events.

Both the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee stated they had an 'obligation to comply' with Trump's order.

Now, according to The Times' Martyn Ziegler, the IOC are set to announce a ban on transgender women from all female Olympic events.

It is reported that the IOC commissioned a science-based review of 'evidence about permanent physical advantages of being born male', which was presented at an IOC meeting in front of members in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The report adds that, as per sources, the presentation stated that 'scientific evidence showed there were physical advantages to being born male that remained with athletes, including those who had taken treatment to reduce testosterone levels'.

It is claimed, however, that the IOC will now need to ensure that their policy is 'legally watertight', given that previous policies have only surrounded guidance instead of instructions.

If the policy is approved, it could be announced in February to coincide with the Winter Olympics,

An IOC spokesperson told SPORTbible that a meeting did take place last week, but stopped short of confirming the planned policy change.

“An update was given by the IOC’s Director of Health, Medicine and Science to the IOC Members last week during the IOC commission meetings," the spokesperson said. "The working group is continuing its discussions on this topic and no decisions have been taken yet. Further information will be provided in due course.”