Olympics announces ban on transgender women in female competition

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026 - 14:17

By Eleanor Crooks, Press Association Sport Correspondent

The International Olympic Committee has announced that transgender women will be banned from competing as females from the 2028 Games.

Eligibility for any female category at IOC events will now be limited to biological women, with an athlete’s status determined by a one-time screening process.

Speaking in a video on the social media site X, IOC president Kirsty Coventry said: “Today, we the International Olympic Committee have published a policy on the protection of the female category.

🚨 VIDEO NEWS RELEASE

International Olympic Committee announces new Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport.

📹 : https://t.co/7kAGqrtpl8 pic.twitter.com/9ksqIZpOkC

— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) March 26, 2026

“I understand that this is a very sensitive topic. As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.

“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear – male chromosomes give performance advantages in sports that rely on strength, power or endurance.”