New Testing Measures for Female Athletes in Track and Field
On Wednesday, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe announced that the organization has sanctioned the implementation of cheek swabs and dry blood-spot tests for female athletes to uphold “the integrity of competition.”
Reinstating Chromosome Testing
The proposed changes will bring back a form of chromosome testing that had been halted in the 1990s. Female athletes will be required to undergo either a cheek swab or a dry blood-spot test to check for the presence of a gene associated with the “Y” chromosome found in males.
Single Test Requirement
In a news conference following a World Athletics Council meeting in Nanjing, Coe stated that each athlete will only need to take the test once throughout their career. “It’s essential to do this to maintain our ongoing discussions about the integrity of women’s sport and to guarantee it,” Coe explained.
Timeline for Implementation
The timeline for enforcing these testing regulations before the upcoming world championships in September remains uncertain. Coe indicated that the new regulations are being drafted, with a testing provider set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Protecting Women’s Sports
Coe, a two-time Olympic champion who recently lost his bid for IOC president, is a strong advocate for “protecting the female category” in athletics. He believes the International Olympic Committee should take an active role in addressing the transgender debate, rather than leaving it to individual sports to establish their own guidelines.
Strict Transgender Regulations
In light of its recent decisions, World Athletics has barred transgender athletes who transitioned from male to female after undergoing male puberty from competing. Earlier this year, the organization proposed strict regulations for athletes who were born female but exhibit what they term as naturally occurring testosterone levels typically found in males.
Legal Confidence
When asked about the potential for legal challenges to these policies, Coe expressed confidence, citing an extensive review process. “I would not have embarked on this journey in 2016-2017 to protect the female category in sports without being ready to confront the challenges,” he affirmed. He mentioned previous successes in the Court of Arbitration regarding their DSD (differences in sex development) regulations, which were upheld even after appeal.
Commitment to Female Athletes
Coe concluded with a firm commitment: “We will tirelessly defend the female category and do whatever is necessary to ensure its protection.”
