World Athletics to Introduce Genetic Testing for Female Athletes

TDT | Manama

Email : hussianm@newsofbahrain.com

World Athletics has announced plans to introduce one-time genetic testing for female athletes to compete in women's events, a groundbreaking but controversial move aimed at tightening eligibility regulations.

Speaking after a council meeting on Tuesday, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe confirmed that the governing body would draft new regulations and seek a provider to conduct non-invasive tests, such as cheek swabs or dry blood spot analysis.

The decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to ensure fairness in women’s competitions, but it is expected to ignite fierce debate over inclusion, privacy, and the ethics of genetic testing in sports.

While the specifics of the rule changes remain undisclosed, Coe emphasized that the new regulations would be carefully structured. "We will work closely with medical experts to ensure the process is fair and scientifically sound," he stated.

This move follows years of discussion on eligibility criteria for female athletes, particularly those with differences in sex development (DSD). World Athletics had previously implemented testosterone regulations for certain track events, which affected high-profile athletes like Caster Semenya.

As the sport’s governing body prepares to roll out these tests, reactions from athletes, advocacy groups, and the wider sporting community will likely shape the future of gender policies in athletics.