Gene Testing
World Athletics Mandates SRY Gene Testing for Female Athletes at Elite Competitions Starting September
Anonymous
World Athletics has announced that all athletes competing in the female category at elite events, including the World Championships in Tokyo beginning September 13, must complete a one-time genetic SRY gene test, overseen by national member federations and due by the September 1 entry deadline. Athletes who test positive for the Y chromosome will be ineligible for the female category at world-ranking events but may compete in other or non-ranking categories. Transitional provisions apply to a limited number of DSD athletes who meet previous testosterone rules, while no such provisions exist for transgender athletes as none are currently competing at this level. The policy follows years of dispute and litigation, notably involving Caster Semenya, and aims to ensure fair competition in women’s sports. World Athletics will cover up to $100 of the testing cost per athlete. The organization asserts the SRY test’s accuracy and reaffirms its commitment to athletes’ dignity and privacy.
Key Points
1
The SRY gene test can be conducted via cheek swabs or dry blood-spot tests, with results expected within two weeks of testing.
2
Athletes refusing to take the SRY test or testing positive for the Y chromosome will be barred from competing in the female category in future competitions but may compete in non-world ranking or other categories.
3
World Athletics has merged its eligibility regulations for differences of sex development (DSD) athletes and transgender athletes, but transitional provisions only apply to a very small number of known DSD athletes who maintain testosterone below 2.5 nmol/L; no transitional provisions exist for transgender athletes due to none competing at elite level currently.
4
The new testing rules follow previous controversies and litigation notably involving athlete Caster Semenya, who won a European Court of Human Rights ruling on procedural grounds but did not overturn the eligibility rules.
5
World Athletics will cover up to $100 of the testing cost per athlete and emphasizes that the SRY test is extremely accurate with a very low risk of false positives or negatives.
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