NATIONAL: Welcome for planned International Olympic Committee ban

The expected announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) it is planning to ban men who identify as women competing in female competitions in January 2026, has been welcomed by The Countess - an advocacy group for women and girls.

IOC is the latest international sports governing body to do so, joining World Rugby, World Athletics, World Aquatics and World Boxing. 

Sorcha Nic Lochlainn, sport spokeswoman for The Countess, said: “Kirsty Coventry, the IOC’s new president, had promised to protect the female category.

“We welcome the news that fairness and integrity in the female sports category will return for the next Olympics, especially after the boxing debacle in 2024.” 

“It is high time that sport returns to reality – humans cannot change sex. Male and female bodies are not the same, there are differences in skeletal structure, muscle type, average height, strength and so much more. The male advantage in sport cannot be negated. Men who say they are women and males with DSDs both bring that male advantage. Women and girls should have fair sport through a protected female category at all levels, with sex screening at elite level.” 

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"In 2021, The Countess commissioned the first-ever independent survey into attitudes to gender in Ireland. It revealed widespread support among the Irish public for single-sex spaces, services and sports. At that time, 55% of respondents said men who identify as women should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports at any level. More recently Sport Ireland commissioned a report which revealed the vast majority of people do not want men participating in women’s sports," said Ms Nic Lochlainn.

She added: “It is time for Irish sporting bodies like the LGFA to revise their policies in line with international best practice and do the right thing for women and girls. What are they waiting for?”