The International Olympic Committee is taking significant steps toward implementing a comprehensive prohibition on transgender women participating in female sports categories, according to exclusive information obtained by Sky News.
Potential Ban for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Olympic authorities are actively considering a blanket ban that could be enforced in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The proposed restrictions would extend beyond transgender athletes to include competitors with DSD (differences of sex development), citing concerns about inherent testosterone advantages.
This development follows a crucial presentation delivered last week to IOC members by Dr Jane Thornton, the committee's medical chief. Her analysis emphasised the potential physical advantages individuals born male might retain when competing in women's sporting events.
Sex Testing and Political Pressure
IOC representatives received detailed updates on how biological sex verification procedures would function in practice. This approach mirrors the system already established by World Athletics, which requires confirmation of biological sex for participation in women's competitions.
The movement toward stricter regulations has gained momentum amid considerable political pressure, notably from former US President Donald Trump. In February, Trump vowed to combat what he described as the "war on women's sports" and promised his administration would prevent men from competing against female athletes during the Los Angeles Olympics.
Trump specifically declared: "In Los Angeles in 2028, my administration will not stand by and watch men beat and batter female athletes. We're not going to let it happen." He further indicated plans to direct homeland security officials to deny visa applications from male athletes attempting to enter the United States under false gender pretenses.
Changing IOC Stance Under New Leadership
While the International Olympic Committee has previously dismissed a return to sex verification as a "bad idea", the organisation's position appears to be evolving under current president Kirsty Coventry. Since her election in March, Coventry has repeatedly emphasised the importance of protecting the female category in competitive sports.
An internal IOC working group continues to assess the complex situation, though the matter has not yet been presented to the full IOC Session for an official decision. The ongoing evaluation suggests the committee is proceeding cautiously while acknowledging growing concerns about competitive fairness in women's sports.
This represents a significant shift in Olympic policy that could reshape the landscape of international women's athletics for years to come, with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics serving as a potential implementation deadline for these sweeping changes.
