World Athletics has announced new mandatory testing for athletes entering female competitions to confirm their biological sex. This decision aims to protect the integrity of women’s sports. Under the leadership of president Sebastian Coe, this move follows a ban on transgender women competing in female events, which was implemented two years ago.
During a recent meeting of the World Athletics Council, Coe discussed the introduction of non-invasive testing methods, such as cheek swabs or dry blood tests. These tests would only need to be done once per athlete. Coe emphasized that this approach is crucial for maintaining confidence in the fairness of competitions.
The testing will help determine if an athlete has transitioned to female after going through male puberty or if they have differences in sex development that might give them an advantage due to higher testosterone levels. World Athletics is currently seeking providers to conduct these tests.
Coe stated, "The pre-clearance testing will be for athletes to be able to compete in the female category." He assured that the process would be straightforward and conducted to high medical standards. He believes these tests will prevent any unfair performance advantages in competitions.
Concerns have been raised by some experts about the potential implications of genetic testing. Alun Williams from Manchester Metropolitan University expressed worries that initial genetic tests could lead to more invasive examinations of athletes’ bodies.
The new testing could be rolled out in time for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September, making it a requirement for all female competitors. This initiative follows broader discussions in the sports world about gender eligibility, especially as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approach.
US President Donald Trump recently weighed in on the issue, asserting that there are only two sexes and calling for a ban on transgender women in female sports. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has previously criticized the idea of returning to sex testing but has not ruled it out under the new leadership of Kirsty Coventry, who has expressed a commitment to protecting female athletes.
The conversation around sex testing is not new. The IOC introduced "certificates of femininity" at the 1968 Mexico Games, but these chromosome-based tests were eventually deemed unscientific and unethical, leading to their discontinuation before the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
As World Athletics moves forward with its testing plans, the sports community watches closely to see how this will impact competitions and the ongoing discussions around gender and sport.