Graham Dunbar put AP ahead of competitors with fast, authoritative reporting on the International Olympic Committee’s decision to ban transgender women from women’s competitions.
The IOC had been expected to announce updated gender eligibility rules during the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. But Dunbar’s Olympic sources indicated the organization planned to unveil a stricter and more detailed policy later, in a less high-profile setting.
When the IOC scheduled a news conference with just a day’s notice, Dunbar recognized the signal. He checked back with sources and confirmed key details of the policy, including its timing and scope, allowing him to prepare a comprehensive report in advance.
As a result, AP moved quickly with a fully contextualized story the moment the announcement was made. The coverage was widely used by major outlets and became one of the most-read sports stories of the week.
Judges praised the speed, preparation and depth of reporting.
For strong preparation on a major story, Graham Dunbar wins this week’s Best of AP — Second Winner.
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