World Athletics has announced that it will begin using cheek swab testing to help determine whether athletes competing in the female category are biologically female. The move is part of the organization’s continued efforts to protect the integrity of women’s sport, according to its president, Sebastian Coe.
The testing is aimed at identifying the presence of the SRY gene, which plays a major role in determining male sex characteristics. The swab test may also be followed by a check of testosterone levels using either further swabs or a dry blood spot analysis.
Testing May Begin Ahead of World Championships in Tokyo
While no official start date has been given, it’s expected that the pre-clearance testing could be introduced ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo scheduled for September, especially for athletes competing in the women’s category.
President Sebastian Coe said the testing is necessary to maintain fairness in competition.
“It’s important to do it because it guarantees the integrity of women’s sport,” Coe said on Tuesday.
He added that feedback from earlier consultation efforts showed that most people supported the testing, as long as it was not overly intrusive.
Legal Scrutiny Expected, But World Athletics Ready
When asked whether the policy could face legal challenges, Coe said he was confident it would stand up in court.
“We’ve been to the Court of Arbitration before for our DSD regulations, and they were upheld,” Coe said.
“We are prepared to take on any challenge to protect the female category in sport.”
DSD refers to difference of sexual development, a condition where a person may have male and female biological characteristics. World Athletics has strict rules about testosterone levels and eligibility for female athletes with DSD.
Focus on SRY Gene and Testosterone
According to a World Athletics gender working group, the new test will look for the SRY gene, which is usually found on the Y chromosome and is typically present in biological males.
The group said this method is a highly accurate way to determine biological sex. If needed, the test will also include testosterone level checks, which have been a key factor in past rulings about athlete eligibility.
New Research Supports Move
World Athletics said new evidence led to this decision. The organization found that testosterone suppression in DSD and transgender athletes does not fully remove the athletic advantage gained from male puberty.
They also highlighted that the performance gap between boys and girls exists even before puberty, especially in running, jumping, and throwing events.
According to their findings, the pre-pubertal performance gap is between 3–5% in running events and even higher in field events.
Widespread Consultation Conducted
Coe said the policy was finalized after a large-scale consultation, involving more than 70 individual groups.
“The feedback has been clear—this is the right step to take,” he said.
This move follows closely on the heels of Coe’s recent attempt to become president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He ran on a reform platform that included protecting the female category in sports. However, he lost the election to Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe’s sports minister, who won with a majority in the first round.