The International Olympic Committee (IOC) signalled a shift toward a single eligibility policy for the female category. After a science briefing to members, expectations grew that the IOC could impose a ban on transgender women competing in the women’s category before the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Officials say no final decision exists, yet the direction is clear. The working group continues to test options, weigh evidence, and map legal risk.
The Thinking Inside the IOC
Leadership wants to move away from a sport-by-sport patchwork. A unified framework would set a baseline, then let federations add sport-specific rules where needed. The aim is to protect the female category, potentially through measures such as an IOC formal call on transgender women bans, while respecting inclusion. In practice, that means putting competitive fairness and athlete safety at the centre of eligibility calls, which includes considering any potential bans on transgender women.
What a Policy Could Cover
Any framework will lean on current science about performance advantages after male puberty. It likely involves categorising athletes based on specific eligibility thresholds, which may be influenced by considerations for or against an official IOC transgender women ban. Medical evidence standards, and dispute processes will apply across Olympic sports. Clear definitions will reduce confusion for athletes, coaches, and selectors. Transparency will also matter, since athletes need to understand how and when a ruling applies to their event.
Timelines and Next Steps
The IOC aims to give the system time to bed in before LA 2028. A phased rollout is on the table, with technical guidance to help federations align. While timelines can shift, the intention is to publish a durable rule set rather than another interim note. The potential IOC ban regarding transgender women, if adopted, would then flow into qualification systems and appeals pathways well ahead of the Games.
