On Monday the Times reported, external that the ban was set to be announced as early as next year.

The IOC told the BBC that "the working group is continuing its discussions on this topic and no decisions have been taken yet".

Despite the IOC statement, the likely outcome is that a ban will be introduced.

Last week an update was presented by the organisation's medical and scientific director to members as it works through the details of the potential move.

Former swimmer Coventry - a seven-time Olympic medallist - told BBC Sport in June that the IOC must "play a leading role" in discussions in this area.

At the time she revealed a working group on the issue made up of experts and international federations would "ensure that we find consensus".

In February US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that prevents transgender women from competing in female categories.

He said the order would include the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and that he will deny visas for transgender athletes trying to visit the US to compete at the Games.

In recent years a growing number of sports federations have barred athletes who have undergone male puberty from competing in elite female competition amid concerns over fairness and safety.

World Rugby became the first international sports federation to say transgender women cannot compete at the elite and international level of the women's game in 2020.

In 2022 Fina (now World Aquatics), swimming's world governing body, announced it would stop transgender athletes from competing in women's elite races if they had gone through any part of the process of male puberty.

In 2022 British Triathlon become the first British sporting body to establish a new 'open' category in which transgender athletes could compete.

In 2022 the Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union banned transgender women from competing in female-only forms of their games.

In 2023 World Athletics banned transgender women from competing in the female category at international events.