World Athletics has announced it will implement new biological testing for female athletes competing in the women’s category, requiring them to undergo screening for the presence of the SRY gene.
According to an official statement from World Athletics, female athletes will be required to undergo non-invasive genetic testing before participating in official competitions to determine the presence of the SRY gene (a gene linked to male sex determination on the Y chromosome). Sebastian Coe, president of the federation, emphasized that the test will be conducted only once during an athlete’s career and is intended to “create equal conditions for all competitors.
The decision follows a recent meeting of the World Athletics Council and comes amid heated debates over the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports. Coe stated, “We are committed to protecting the rights of all athletes, but we must ensure no one has an unfair biological advantage.”
The policy has faced opposition from transgender rights advocates and medical experts. Critics argue that biological markers like the SRY gene cannot solely determine “sporting gender,” as hormonal and physiological factors play more complex roles in athletic performance. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has recently supported measures to outright ban transgender women from female competitions, further fueling tensions.
World Athletics’ decision could set a precedent for other sports. Human rights organizations warn that such policies risk further marginalizing the transgender community and raise ethical concerns about privacy and systemic discrimination.
While World Athletics insists its goal is to uphold “sporting fairness,” critics view the move as a regression in the fight for gender equality. A critical question remains: Can biological boundaries address the complexities of identity and humanity in sports?
CNN
