World Athletics to Roll Out One-Time Gene Testing for Female Eligibility

From 1 September, athletes aiming to compete in the female category at world-ranking athletics events will need to undergo a one-time gene test, World Athletics announced this week. The decision will apply to major competitions like the World Athletics Championships, set to take place from 13–21 September in Tokyo.

The test will check for the presence of the SRY gene, found on the Y chromosome which triggers the development of male biological characteristics. Athletes can take the test via a simple cheek swab or blood sample.

If the gene is not detected, the athlete will be eligible to compete in the female category at international level. However, if the test comes back positive for the Y chromosome, the athlete can still take part in domestic or non-ranking competitions, but not in the elite female category.

World Athletics president Lord Coe said the aim is to ensure that women can enter the sport “knowing there is no biological glass ceiling.” He emphasised that, at elite level, “biology takes precedence over gender identity.”

The new rule follows a controversial history around eligibility, including the exclusion of transgender women and athletes with differences of sex development (DSD), like South Africa’s Caster Semenya. In July, the European Court of Human Rights found that Semenya’s right to a fair hearing had been violated in a past legal battle over testosterone regulations.

World Athletics maintains the test is highly accurate and will be supervised by national federations as a once-off requirement.