World Athletics Introduces Mandatory Sex Testing for Female Athletes
World Athletics Introduces Mandatory Sex Testing for Female Athletes
World Athletics has introduced mandatory testing for any athlete entering female competitions to verify their biological sex. The organization states it is a necessary measure to protect women’s sports.
Formerly known as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), World Athletics is the international governing body overseeing sports such as track and field, road running, race walking, and cross-country events.
The governing body’s president Sebastian Coe took this latest measure. Two years ago, Mr. Coe banned any individual who was born as a biological male from participating in female events.
World Athletics President says the sex testing methods will be ‘non-invasive’
Mr. Coe announced in an organization meeting that the sex testing methods that the governing body will adopt will be ‘non-invasive’. He explained they will most likely consist of cheek swab tests or dry blood tests that will only take place once per athlete.
Lord Coe said, “This we feel is a really important way of providing confidence and maintaining that absolute focus on the integrity of competition.” He added, “The process is very straightforward, frankly, very clear, and it’s an important one, and we will work on the timelines.”
World Athletics has announced that it will introduce mandatory sex testing for athletes who seek to compete in women's track and field at the elite level.
"[We're] not just talking about the integrity of female sport, but guaranteeing it." pic.twitter.com/OZw54Tpk6z
— REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) March 25, 2025
The tests are designed to verify whether an athlete has transitioned from male to female after undergoing male puberty or if they have significant differences in sex development that provide them with testosterone advantages. The organization has announced that it is now seeking test providers.
Lord Coe’s measures follow President Trump’s ban on trans athletes
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” effectively banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports in the US.
The measure Lord Coe and World Athletics have taken follows the precedent set by President Trump, which could be crucial ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
"My administration will not stand by and watch men beat and batter female athletes."
Trump announces a ban on trans women in female sports and vows to deny visas to 'men fraudulently claiming to be women athletes ahead of the 2028 Olympics.'https://t.co/LpRM8ss3yR
Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/yRkXLkBtCc
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 5, 2025
Crucially, however, the International Olympic Committee has previously stated that returning to sex testing is a bad idea. Incoming IOC President Kristy Coventry is not ruling out implementing such tests for the Olympics. Ms. Coventry has previously talked about protecting the female category at the games.
Kristy explained to Sky News “This is a conversation that’s happened and the international federations have taken a far greater lead in this conversation,” adding, “What I was proposing is to bring a group together with the international federations and really understand each sport is slightly different.”
She also highlighted that in some sports, like equestrian, sex is “not really an issue”, but she recognized that in other sports it is.