She was elected to lead the Olympics as its first female president. Her first major decision: ban transgender women from women's events.
Kirsty Coventry, a two time Olympic gold medalist in swimming from Zimbabwe, became the first woman to lead the International Olympic ar history when she was elected president in June 2025. One of her first major decisions was launching a review of female category protections in Olympic sport.
On March 26, 2026, the IOC Executive Board approved a 10 page policy banning transgender women from all female events at the Olympics starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Eligibility is now limited to biological females verified by a one time SRY gene screening. Athletes who test negative are permanently eligible. The policy also restricts most athletes with differences in sex development, including two time Olympic champion Caster Semenya.
Coventry said the policy protects fairness, safety, and integrity, adding that "even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat."