The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to implement a ban on transgender women competing in all female events at the Olympic Games. This decision follows a scientific review that highlighted the permanent physical advantages associated with being born male. A report indicates that the IOC is expected to announce this new policy early next year. Previously, the IOC allowed transgender women to compete if they maintained reduced testosterone levels, leaving the final decision to individual sports. However, under the leadership of new president Kirsty Coventry, the IOC aims to prioritise the protection of the female category. Dr Jane Thornton, the committee's medical and scientific director, presented the findings of the review to IOC members during a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, last week. Thornton, a former Olympic rower from Canada, reportedly stated that scientific evidence indicates that physical advantages from being born male persist, even after undergoing testosterone reduction treatments. A source familiar with the meeting described Thornton's presentation as "very scientific, factual and unemotional," clearly outlining the evidence. Feedback from IOC members was reportedly overwhelmingly positive. The issue of gender eligibility has been contentious, particularly highlighted during the boxing tournament at the Paris Olympics. Boxers Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan both won gold medals, despite being disqualified from the previous year's World Championships for allegedly failing to meet gender eligibility criteria. The newly recognised World Boxing federation has since introduced mandatory sex testing, meaning Khelif will not be able to compete in the female category until she complies. The IOC is likely to announce its new policy in early 2026, potentially coinciding with its session at the Winter Olympics in February. Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer from Zimbabwe, emphasised the need for a scientific approach to protect the female category, stating, "We should make the effort to place emphasis on the protection of the female category and we should ensure that this is done in consensus with all the stakeholders." This policy shift marks a significant change in the IOC's approach to gender inclusion in sports, reflecting ongoing debates about fairness and equality in competitive athletics.