The World Athletics Council has announced that female athletes competing in international women’s events will now be required to take a one-time genetic test to confirm their biological sex.
The new policy goes into effect on September 1, ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, which begin on September 13.
The test will screen for the SRY gene, found on the Y chromosome and responsible for male sex determination in humans and other mammals. Athletes can complete the test through either a cheek swab or a blood sample, depending on their preference.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of women’s sports, stating that ensuring fair competition helps attract and retain female athletes. “This test is a critical step in guaranteeing that women can compete knowing there is no biological disadvantage,” Coe said.
In 2023, World Athletics barred transgender women who had undergone male puberty from competing in women’s events. The organization had previously announced that new guidelines would be implemented to determine biological sex for competition eligibility.
World Athletics stressed that it will continue to respect athletes’ gender identities and privacy, and clarified that no one would ever be required to undergo surgery as part of this policy.
In related developments in the U.S., former President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has since informed national sports federations that they must comply with the order.
Source: USA TODAY
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