World Athletics will require all female athletes to undergo a one-time SRY gene test ahead of Tokyo 2025, a move Seb Coe says is to protect the integrity of women’s sport.
Seb Coe has defended the decision by World Athletics that all athletes aiming to compete in the women’s category at the World Championships must complete a one-time test for the SRY gene.
The SRY gene is a trusted indicator of biological sex, using either a cheek swab or a blood sample, based on personal preference.
World Athletics confirmed that its council approved updated eligibility rules for athletes competing in the women’s category at world ranking events.
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Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, Sha’Carri Richards and Co to Face Mandatory Sex Tests at World Championships
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The new regulations are set to take effect on September 1, 2025 and will apply to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, which begins on September 13.
However, the move has come with a lot of criticism from fans, who questioned the decision by World Athletics to subject athletes to such strict rules.
One user commented: “World Athletics gets slower and slower by the hour!”
Another X user added: “This is racist and transphobic, sorry. You cannot convince me this isn’t targeted towards the black women.”
“Hello. World Athletics just silently announced that ANY Woman hoping to compete at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo will have to undergo sex verification testing to determine their biological sex. Human rights? What’s that?! 😬,” another X user added.
World Athletics President Breaks Silence
Seb Coe
Seb Coe Image source: Imago
However, the World Athletics president has given the reasons behind the decision to make such a move, insisting that it is about protecting female athletes.
“The philosophy that we hold dear in World Athletics is the protection and promotion of the integrity of women’s sport,” Seb Coe said in a post shared on X (Twitter).
“It is really important in a sport that is permanently trying to attract more women that they enter a sport believing there is no biological glass ceiling. The test to confirm biological sex is a very important step in ensuring this is the case.”
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The responsibility of carrying out the testing process will lie with the respective Member Federations, who will oversee and coordinate all necessary procedures as part of their broader preparations for the World Championships in Tokyo.
That will include ensuring that athletes meet the eligibility criteria in accordance with the new regulations ahead of the competition.
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