DEEP DIVE: What does the science say about trans athletes?

Could trans athletes be banned from women's sport at the 2028 Olympic Games? We don't know for sure, but the International Olympic Committee is considering a ban and the US government has already banned trans athletes at college level. So what would a total ban on trans athletes look like for women's sport? And what does the science say? In the deep dive this week, we're taking a look at what's driving this debate. We set out why it's been in the news this week, which sporting codes have changed their policies already, and how all of this might play out at the next Olympics. And we speak to an expert about the science at the heart of this issue. Guests: Ada Cheung, Professorial Fellow in Endocrinology, The University of Melbourne Get the whole story from hack: Follow us on Instagram and TikTok Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

An episode of the Hack podcast, hosted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation, titled "DEEP DIVE: What does the science say about trans athletes?" was published on November 14, 2025 and runs 15 minutes.

November 14, 2025 ·15m · Hack

Summary

Could trans athletes be banned from women's sport at the 2028 Olympic Games? We don't know for sure, but the International Olympic Committee is considering a ban and the US government has already banned trans athletes at college level. So what would a total ban on trans athletes look like for women's sport? And what does the science say? In the deep dive this week, we're taking a look at what's driving this debate. We set out why it's been in the news this week, which sporting codes have changed their policies already, and how all of this might play out at the next Olympics. And we speak to an expert about the science at the heart of this issue. Guests: Ada Cheung, Professorial Fellow in Endocrinology, The University of Melbourne Get the whole story from hack: Follow us on Instagram and TikTok Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Episode Description