As Milan Session Nears, IOC Explores Controversial Ban on Transgender Women

Last month, the International Olympic Committee announced that it was exploring a ban on transgender women in female sporting events following a review of evidence of lasting physical advantages of being born male.[1] Traditionally, each sport’s international federation was allowed to make its own rules regarding transgender athletes, but it appears the IOC is searching for a firmer and more comprehensive approach.[2] Some sports will most likely remain unaffected as men and women already compete against each other,[3] but a potential problem lies in attempting to incorporate a blanket ban into only some Olympic sports.

The Committee reviewed the findings of its medical and scientific director, Dr. Jane Thornton.[4] Dr. Thornton’s presentation stated that anyone who goes through puberty as a male has a permanent advantage over females.[5] She further claimed that the advantage is so apparent that it is unable to be mitigated by hormone treatment.[6] New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard was the first and only transgender woman to compete at an Olympics.[7] Hubbard competed in men’s events until 2013 and only competed in women’s events at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she failed to record a successful lift.[8]

The move comes as one of the first for newly elected IOC President Kirsty Coventry.[9] Coventry took over as president in June and immediately created four working groups to look at what she deemed the biggest issues facing the IOC, one being the protection of female sports.[10] The move is far from shocking, as Coventry made her stance on the issue clear in her campaign.[11] Additionally, some sporting federations[12] and governments[13] are starting to place stricter regulations on those who are allowed to compete in women’s sports, so it is not a surprise to see the Olympics explore the option.

The ban is currently only being explored, but sources have suggested that it could be announced in Milan at the 145^th IOC Session, held a few days before the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.[14] With support from the IOC president and several anonymous IOC members, it appears likely that the ban will pass.[15] The ban appears to be an attempt to solve an imaginary problem. Only one openly transgender athlete has ever competed in an Olympic event, and their performance was not a display of “permanent advantages over females.”[16] Ultimately, the decision is left to the IOC, and all eyes are now on Milan.

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6795023/2025/11/10/olympics-ioc-transgender-women-ban/

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/46917038/international-olympic-committee-no-decision-yet-transgender-ban

[5] Supra, note 1.

[6] Id.

[7] Id.

[8] Id.

[9] Id.

[10] Id.

[11] https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6200545/2025/03/18/kirsty-coventry-ioc-president-elections/

[12] https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/13358660/gender-policy-in-sport-what-are-the-rules-in-football-cricket-boxing-netball-and-others-after-supreme-court-ruling

[13] https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/keeping-men-out-of-womens-sports/

[14] Supra, note 1.

[15] Id.

[16] Id.