Athletic competitions to enforce gene testing for female athletes' eligibility, as declared by World Athletics.
In a move aimed at ensuring fairness and inclusivity in women's sports, World Athletics has announced a new eligibility criterion for female athletes competing at the elite level. The rule, effective from September 1, 2025, requires athletes to undergo a genetic test to confirm their biological female sex [1][2][4].
The test, which can be conducted via a cheek swab or blood sample, checks for the presence of the SRY gene, a reliable proxy for determining biological sex. Athletes testing positive for the SRY gene, associated with male characteristics, would be deemed ineligible to compete in female categories at World Athletics events [1][2].
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe emphasised that biology cannot be overridden by gender identity in elite competition and framed the testing as essential to maintaining the integrity of women's sports [2][4]. The new regulation is a response to concerns about fairness and competition in women's sports, particularly in relation to biological advantages [1][2].
Transgender women who have gone through male puberty are currently banned by World Athletics from competing in women's events. However, the new rule does not prevent transgender women from competing in women's sports. Instead, it regulates eligibility based on biology [3].
The test is a significant step in ensuring no biological glass ceiling exists in sports. World Athletics requires female DSD athletes whose bodies produce high testosterone levels to take medication to lower them in order to be eligible [5].
The World Championships will take place in Tokyo from September 13-21. The test for biological sex will be administered by member federations [6]. It's crucial for a sport to attract more women to believe there is no biological glass ceiling, Coe stated [7].
The SRY test used by World Athletics is the same one adopted by World Boxing this year. World Athletics states that the risk of false negative or positive results from the SRY test is extremely unlikely [8]. The statement from World Athletics was made on Wednesday [9]. According to World Athletics, only biologically female athletes are eligible to compete in the female category at the elite level [10].
Sources: [1] AFP (© 2025 AFP) [2] BBC News [3] The Guardian [4] Reuters [5] The Independent [6] Sports Illustrated [7] Sky Sports [8] CNN [9] The New York Times [10] World Athletics Official Statement
The new World Athletics regulation, effective from September 1, 2025, necessitates a genetic test for female athletes competing at the elite level, focusing on the SRY gene to confirm biological sex. Despite the rule, transgender women are not entirely barred from women's sports, as eligibility is based on biology rather than gender identity.
