New Gene Test Rule for Female Athletes Aims to Preserve Integrity of Women's Sports

World Athletics announced that effective September 1, only athletes who pass a gene test will be eligible to participate in female categories at elite competitions. The test aims to confirm biological sex, as part of efforts to maintain fairness in women's sports.

This decision comes amid ongoing debates about eligibility criteria for female athletes, especially regarding transgender athletes and those with differences of sex development (DSD). World Athletics President Sebastian Coe emphasized the importance of protecting women's sports from a 'biological glass ceiling'.

The SRY gene test, revealing the presence of the Y chromosome, will be managed by member federations. This aligns with earlier decisions by World Boxing to implement sex testing, and recent European Court rulings regarding DSD athlete Caster Semenya's case.

(With inputs from agencies.)