00:00Olympic Committee Set to Make Major Announcement on Men and Women's Sports
00:03The International Olympic Committee is preparing a policy to prohibit men identifying as women from competing in female events, the Times reported Monday.
00:14Expected in February, the move follows an internal review of biological and scientific data on advantages retained by males after hormone suppression.
00:22The proposal grew momentum after Paris 2024, when two boxers, Califf and Lin-Yu Ting, won gold after 2023 disqualifications.
00:33The International Boxing Association had removed both athletes for being found to have competitive advantages over other female competitors.
00:40The IOC said it is still evaluating the matter.
00:43The work on this continues, an IOC spokesperson said on Monday, noting that no official decision has been taken yet.
00:50Until now, the IOC has allowed individual sports federations to set their own eligibility standards for transgender athletes,
00:58but Kirstie Coventry has signaled a universal policy to protect the female category.
01:04In June, Coventry said member input prioritized protecting the female category amid sports-specific differences.
01:11But we need to do that with a scientific approach and the inclusion of the international federations who have already done a lot of work in this area.
01:18Jane Thornton presented evidence to the committee stating males retain bone density and muscle mass, even after testosterone suppression treatment.
01:27An IOC insider said the presentation drew strong member support.
01:31The IOC confirmed that discussions remain ongoing, but did not deny that a formal decision could come as early as February,
01:38ahead of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.
01:41The policy would be the IOC's first comprehensive stance on transgender participation in women's sports.
01:49It reflects growing concern about fairness and competitive integrity in female categories.
01:55In July, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee barred male athletes identifying as female from Team USA women's categories.
02:03Donald Trump's February order, keeping men out of women's sports, bars federally funded groups from allowing male athletes in women's categories.
02:11The IOC hasn't set a date, but sources say the framework is nearly complete and awaiting approval, potentially reshaping global eligibility rules.
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