SPORTS

Olympics and the Transgender Debate: What's Next?

USATue Nov 11 2025

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is reviewing how transgender women compete.

Current Status

  • No final decision has been made.
  • Science behind physical advantages is being studied.
  • Goal: Fair rules for everyone.

IOC's Stance

  • New president, Kirsty Coventry, seeks a unified policy.
  • Current rules deemed insufficient.
  • Focus: Protect the female category.
  • Collaboration with experts and sports federations.

U.S. Policy

  • President Trump has banned transgender athletes.
  • U.S. Olympic Committee updated rules:
  • Transgender athletes banned from women's sports.

Past Olympics

  • Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won gold after initial disqualification.
  • IOC allowed her to compete based on passport gender.

Varied Sports Rules

  • Some sports ban transgender athletes.
  • Others have strict conditions.
  • Few transgender athletes have competed in the Olympics.
  • New Zealand's Laurel Hubbard was the first.

Ongoing Process

  • IOC continues to work on fair rules.
  • Reviewing other sports federations' policies.
  • Final decision pending.

questions

    What scientific evidence is the IOC considering to inform its policy on transgender athletes?
    How will the IOC's new policy address the concerns of athletes who have already competed under previous rules?
    If transgender athletes are banned, will the IOC offer them a special 'consolation gender' category?

actions