World Athletics to Introduce Mandatory Gene Test for Female Category Eligibility
Posted : 01 August 2025
Starting in September, athletes wishing to compete in the female category at elite track and field events must undergo genetic testing for the SRY gene, World Athletics has announced.
The test, designed to confirm biological sex, will be implemented in time for the World Championships in Tokyo and will determine eligibility based on the presence or absence of the Y chromosome.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe emphasized that the move ensures fairness and upholds the integrity of female competition at the elite level.