World Athletics has approved the introduction of oral swab testing to determine whether an athlete is biologically female, as part of its efforts to ensure the integrity of women’s sports. The measure, announced by the organization’s president, Sebastian Coe, aims to establish a clear framework for participation in the women’s category and build confidence in the fairness of competition.

The goal is for the testing system to be operational before the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September. Although there is no official timeline for implementation yet, the federation has conducted an extensive consultation with over 70 groups and has received majority support to move forward in this direction.

NEW REQUIREMENTS

The oral swab will analyze the presence of the SRY gene, which is located on the Y chromosome and plays a key role in determining male sexual characteristics. If necessary, the test will be supplemented with hormonal assessments to evaluate testosterone levels. According to World Athletics, these tests will allow for an accurate verification of athletes’ biological sex and reinforce regulations regarding participation in the women’s category.

This decision comes amid ongoing debates about inclusion and fairness in elite sports. Coe defended the measure as a necessary step to prevent competitive advantages resulting from biological differences, emphasizing that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has previously upheld regulations concerning athletes with differences in sexual development. Furthermore, the approval of this policy comes just days after Kirsty Coventry was elected as president of the International Olympic Committee, in an election where Coe received only eight votes, eliminating him from contention.