NANJING, China — Sebastian Coe, head of World Athletics, announced on Tuesday that the athletic governing body has sanctioned the use of cheek swabs and dry blood-spot tests for female athletes to ensure “the integrity of competition.” This new measure involves reintroducing a method akin to chromosome testing, previously discontinued in the 1990s. The testing requires athletes competing in the female category to undergo either a cheek swab or a dry blood-spot test to determine the presence of a gene associated with a “Y” chromosome, a typical marker found in males.
During a press briefing following a two-day World Athletics Council meeting in Nanjing, Coe explained that these tests would only need to be conducted a single time in an athlete’s career. “The significance of this action lies in its aim to uphold the core principles we have emphasized, specifically focusing on more than mere dialogue about the integrity of women’s sports but ensuring its protection,” he stated. He further stressed the importance of fostering confidence and unwavering prioritization of competition integrity.
The timeline for test implementation before the upcoming world championships in September remains uncertain. According to Coe, upcoming weeks will involve drafting new regulations and appointing a testing provider. A former two-time Olympic champion, Coe’s recent unsuccessful bid for the position of IOC president has not hindered his advocacy for safeguarding the female category within track and field. He has emphasized the need for the International Olympic Committee to spearhead discussions on transgender policy rather than leave it to individual sports to set their own rules.
In 2023, World Athletics declared a ban on transgender athletes transitioning from male to female after male puberty. Additionally, in February, the organization released proposed recommendations imposing stringent regulations on athletes initially born female but whose natural testosterone levels fall within the typical male range. This announcement followed closely on the heels of an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, designed to prevent transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports within the U.S., alongside urging the Olympics to adopt a similar stance. Los Angeles is set to host the 2028 Summer Games.
In response to inquiries about potential legal challenges to the policy, Coe expressed confidence based on an in-depth evaluation. “I wouldn’t have embarked on this endeavor from 2016-2017 without the resolve to fortify the female category in sports against challenges,” he remarked. Coe mentioned previous experiences with the Court of Arbitration, where regulations around DSD (differences in sex development) were sustained and reaffirmed upon appeal. With steadfast determination, he declared, “We will unwaveringly safeguard the female category, taking whatever measures are necessary.”