World Athletics Mandates Gene Testing for Female Athletes in New Eligibility Rules

Summary – World Athletics introduces mandatory gene testing for female athletes to enhance fairness in competitions, marking a significant policy shift.,

Article –

World Athletics, the global governing body for track and field sports, has introduced new eligibility regulations mandating gene testing for all female athletes competing at elite levels. Announced on July 30, 2025, this policy aims to enhance fairness and integrity in women’s athletics by verifying genetic markers relevant to sex classification.

What Happened?

On July 30, 2025, World Athletics declared that female athletes participating in international competitions must undergo mandatory gene testing. This groundbreaking policy addresses debates regarding eligibility criteria, especially for athletes with differences of sex development (DSD) or hyperandrogenism. The decision came after a World Athletics Council meeting involving top officials and athlete representatives.

The gene testing will focus on specific genetic markers to confirm eligibility under female category rules and will be implemented before major events like the World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games. Athletes who do not meet the genetic criteria will be disqualified from female categories but may participate in open or male classifications where possible.

Key Numbers

• Implementation date: Effective immediately from July 30, 2025.
• Target group: Female athletes at elite global events.
• Testing parameters: Genetic markers related to sex classification following International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) guidelines.
• Affected events: World Athletics Championships 2025, 2028 Summer Olympics, and other sanctioned competitions.

Official Statements

Sebastian Coe, World Athletics President, stated, “Our primary commitment is to fair play and the integrity of women’s sport. These genetic tests are a necessary step in ensuring equitable competitions for all female athletes. We understand the sensitivity of this topic and have worked extensively with scientific experts and athlete representatives to establish a respectful and accurate process.”

Dr. Maria Jensen, lead medical advisor for World Athletics, explained, “The gene testing protocol follows rigorous scientific standards. It is designed to be precise, confidential, and minimally invasive. Its aim is to verify biological eligibility while safeguarding athletes’ rights and privacy.”

Immediate Consequences

The mandatory gene testing has sparked discussion within the athletics community. Some female athletes have raised concerns about privacy and potential discrimination, while others support the move as essential for maintaining competitive balance.

National federations are responsible for conducting gene tests and reporting results to World Athletics before finalizing competition entries. Non-compliance or failure in testing leads to disqualification from female events, with appeals mechanisms being established.

Locker-Room Reactions

• Elena Novak, World champion sprinter, said, “I appreciate the effort to keep the sport fair, but it’s a difficult discussion requiring empathy and understanding for all athletes involved.”
• Coach Mark Thompson remarked, “This policy sets a clear boundary on eligibility, which is fair from a competitive standpoint but demands sensitive handling to support athletes’ welfare.”

Governing bodies worldwide have expressed support for World Athletics’ initiative, committing to clear communication with athletes to address concerns.

What Comes Next?

World Athletics plans to roll out workshops and educational programs globally to help federations, coaches, and athletes understand the new gene testing procedures. Appeals and review panels composed of legal and medical experts will be available for athletes facing eligibility challenges.

The upcoming World Athletics Championships later in 2025 will be the first major test of this policy, with close observation on how gene testing impacts entries and performances.

The introduction of mandatory gene testing marks a pivotal moment in female athletics and may influence eligibility policies in other sports globally.

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Bhavya

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