Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, Sha'Carri Richards and Co to Face Mandatory Sex Tests at World Championships

All female athletes are set to undergo genetic testing to determine biological sex ahead of the World Championships following a directive from World Athletics.

World Athletics has announced new regulations requiring biological sex verification for athletes competing in the female category at world ranking events.

These regulations, effective September 1, 2025, will apply to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo starting September 13.

All athletes participating in the female category at the Championships must undergo a one-time SRY gene test. This test, conducted via cheek swab or blood sample, serves as a reliable indicator of biological sex.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

Member federations will oversee the testing process as they prepare their athletes for the Tokyo Championships.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe emphasized the importance of these regulations: “Our core philosophy is protecting and promoting the integrity of women's sport. It's crucial, as we strive to attract more women to athletics, that they believe there's no biological barrier to success. This test is a vital step in ensuring a level playing field.”

“At the elite level, to compete in the female category, you must be biologically female. Gender cannot override biology. We are grateful to our member federations for their support in implementing these new regulations.”

What Are the New Rules Designed to Achieve

These changes follow recommendations from the Gender Diverse Athlete Working Group, approved by the Council in March 2025.

After a year of research on gender-diverse athletes, the Working Group proposed several key changes, including formally defining the female category, aligning eligibility regulations, merging DSD (differences of sex development) and transgender regulations, implementing pre-clearance for all female athletes, and exploring support initiatives for elite gender-diverse XY athletes.

The updated female athlete category definition (Eligibility Rule 3.5) specifies eligible athletes as:

Biological females. Biological females who have used testosterone as part of male gender-affirming treatment may not compete in the female category until a period determined by World Athletics (at least four years) has passed since their last testosterone use.

Biological males with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome who have not undergone male sexual development, including male puberty. Biological males with a difference of sex development who meet World Athletics' transitional provisions (these do not currently apply to transgender women competing internationally).

World Athletics affirms its commitment to respecting gender identity, individual dignity and privacy, confidentiality, and data protection laws. The organization emphasizes that it does not and will not require any athlete to undergo surgery.