World Athletics begins one-time gene testing for female-category competitors
New rule requiring detection of the SRY gene takes effect this week as the sport's debate over gender eligibility continues
World Athletics has begun enforcing a rule that requires all athletes wishing to compete in the female category at world ranking events to undergo a one-time gene test, the governing body said, with the measure coming into force this week.
The screening looks for the SRY gene — the sex-determining region Y gene — a marker on the Y chromosome that initiates development of male reproductive tissue. World Athletics described the test as a sex screening intended to protect the integrity of women’s competition.
Medical and biological explanations of the test note that when an embryo carries XY chromosomes the SRY gene spurs the formation of testes, which produce hormones including testosterone that shape male physical development. Research cited by sporting bodies shows that individuals who were born male and underwent male puberty typically develop greater muscle mass and strength, factors that governing bodies say can affect fairness in female-category events.
The requirement applies to competitors in events that count toward world rankings and to athletes seeking to participate in the World Championships. World Athletics has framed the policy as a one-time verification step; the organisation says it aims to provide a clear, administrable standard for entry into the female category at elite competitions.
The rule follows years of debate and policy changes in international sport over how best to define eligibility for women’s competition. Governing bodies and courts have previously considered a range of approaches, including hormone-level thresholds and individual assessments, each of which prompted discussion about fairness, science and rights.
The new screening has reignited those conversations. Advocates for the rule argue that measurable, genetic markers offer a more objective basis for categorisation than previous criteria. Critics and rights groups have raised questions about privacy, the clinical and social implications of genetic testing, and how results will be handled, though World Athletics has said the test is limited to detecting the presence of the SRY gene.
Implementation details released by the governing body indicate the test will be required once for eligibility in the female category at world ranking events; World Athletics has said further procedural and confidentiality safeguards will apply but has not published full public guidance on handling of results and appeals at the time the rule took effect.
How the measure will play out in practice — including its effects on individual athletes, selection for championships and potential legal or regulatory challenges — is likely to become clearer as federations, teams and competitors begin to comply. The policy is expected to shape ongoing discussions about inclusion, competitive equity and the role of biological definitions in sport.
World Athletics said the measure is intended to maintain fair competition in women’s events at the highest levels of the sport. Observers and stakeholders will be watching how federations apply the rule in selection processes and whether the new standard withstands scrutiny from athletes, legal authorities and human-rights organisations in the months ahead.