New Policy in Effect Starting September 1
World Athletics has implemented a new rule requiring all female athletes to undergo a one-time genetic test to confirm eligibility for international women’s competitions. The policy will take effect on September 1 and applies to all athletes seeking to compete in world-ranking events, including the World Championships in Tokyo from September 13-21.
The test will screen for the SRY gene, a marker associated with the Y chromosome, and will be administered through a non-invasive cheek swab or dry blood spot. National member federations will be responsible for conducting the test, which only needs to be completed once in an athlete’s career.
Focus on Fair Competition
The decision comes as governing bodies continue to address concerns about fairness in women’s sports. The policy aims to ensure that competitors in the female category meet the biological criteria established by World Athletics.
Under current regulations, transgender women who have undergone male puberty are still ineligible to compete in the female category. Athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) must still lower their testosterone levels to meet set thresholds. A small number of DSD athletes with transitional status under earlier regulations may still compete under those rules, but all new athletes are required to take the SRY gene test before competing.
Ethical and Privacy Considerations
The new policy has raised questions about privacy and the historical implications of sex verification testing in sports. Past approaches to verifying athletes’ biological sex were criticized as invasive and discriminatory, and advocacy groups are now assessing the potential impact of the latest measures on intersex and gender-diverse athletes.
Impact on Upcoming Championships
Any female athlete who has not completed the test by the September deadline will be ineligible to compete in women’s world-ranking events. This includes the Tokyo World Championships as well as future World Athletics Series competitions and the Olympic Games.
The policy represents one of the most significant eligibility measures adopted by World Athletics in recent years. It is expected to influence the competitive landscape of women’s track and field for the foreseeable future, as federations prepare to implement the testing program on a global scale.
