Kirsty Coventry, the first female president in the 131-year history of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has set her sights on one particular rule: whether transgender women can compete in female events if their testosterone levels are reduced.
After years of debate, that rule may soon be rewritten.
On Monday, reports surfaced that the IOC is actively discussing a new policy that could prevent transgender women from participating in the Games.
This represents a significant change in a rule that has long allowed individual sports federations to make their own decisions.
A Longstanding Commitment to Protect Female Athletes
Even before taking the IOC helm, Coventry made the protection of women’s sport a cornerstone of her platform.
“We need to work with federations, medical teams, and experts to find a solution that protects the female category without excluding anyone,” she said during her campaign in February.
She reiterated this commitment in June, months after her historic election.
Now, alongside Dr Jane Thornton, the IOC’s medical and scientific director, she is crafting new guidelines aimed at clarifying one of sport’s most controversial issues.
Changes Could Take Effect After Italy Winter Olympics
The upcoming winter Olympics in Italy next February may be the last Games to include transgender women under the current policy.
Early indications suggest the new rules may also cover athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD)—individuals raised as girls who have male chromosomes and testosterone levels closer to typical male ranges.
The exact details of how this policy will be implemented remain unclear.
There have been rumors about specific athletes, including boxer Imane Khelif, but nothing has been confirmed.
Sporting Legends Steering Policy
Coventry and Thornton bring personal experience at the elite level to their positions.
Coventry competed in five Olympic Games for Zimbabwe, winning seven medals, including two golds.
Her achievements earned her national recognition, with former leader Robert Mugabe praising her successes and awarding her financial rewards.
Thornton, meanwhile, shone in rowing, winning a World Championship gold in 2006 and competing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
She later pursued medicine, combining her love of sport with a focus on health and science.
Together, they bring both athletic and scientific credibility to the debate.
Coventry’s Path from Athlete to IOC President
After retiring from competitive swimming, Coventry entered politics in Zimbabwe, serving as Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation.
Her tenure was not without controversy, as the country faced bans from FIFA and CAF due to government interference in sport.
Despite these challenges, Coventry won the IOC presidency in March 2025, securing exactly the number of votes needed for a majority.
Her victory over favorite Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. and former Olympic athlete Lord Sebastian Coe was decisive, completing a rapid transformation of IOC leadership.
Science, Debate, and the Future of Rules
Dr Thornton has played a central role in analyzing the scientific aspects of transgender and DSD athlete participation.
Last week, she presented a detailed review to IOC members in Lausanne, highlighting the differences between transgender athletes and those with DSD.
While no formal decision has been made, discussions continue, with the IOC executive board expected to meet in December.
In a statement, the IOC emphasized that “no decisions have been taken yet” and that the working group is still evaluating all evidence.
The Road Ahead for Female Categories
The debate over inclusion versus protection in female sports remains a flashpoint.
Controversy erupted in boxing during Paris 2024 over DSD athletes, and the future of Olympic competition rules is still uncertain.
Sources indicate that rule changes for DSD athletes are likely over time, though they may face internal resistance.
For now, Coventry and Thornton’s leadership signals a new era for the IOC—one where female athlete protection is prioritized, and the boundaries of fairness and inclusion are being carefully reconsidered.