Key points
- Rule takes effect before 2025 Tokyo World Championships
- Athletes must test negative for Y chromosome presence
- Policy replaces earlier DSD and transgender athlete rules
ISLAMABAD: World Athletics has announced a new rule requiring all athletes who wish to compete in the female category at world-ranking events to undergo a one-time SRY gene test to confirm biological sex.
This regulation will come into effect on 1 September 2025, ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, which begin on 13 September. The test—conducted via either a cheek swab or blood sample—detects the presence or absence of the Y chromosome.
The World Athletics Council has approved new regulations concerning eligibility conditions to compete in the female category for world ranking competitions.
The new regulations come into effect on 1 September 2025 and will be applied to the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25… pic.twitter.com/BO8Lz4kfwS
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) July 30, 2025
To be eligible for the female category at elite competitions, athletes must test negative for the Y chromosome. National member federations will oversee the process, and World Athletics has committed up to $100 per test for athletes competing in Tokyo.
Preserving fairness
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe stated the move is intended to preserve the fairness and integrity of women’s sport.
“The principle we stand by is the protection and promotion of integrity in women’s competition,” Coe said. “At the elite level, to compete in the female category, you must be biologically female. Gender cannot override biology.”
The new regulation follows a year-long review by the Gender Diverse Athlete Working Group, and replaces previous policies concerning athletes with differences of sex development (DSD) and transgender athletes. It introduces a formal pre-clearance requirement for all female competitors.
Under Eligibility Rule 3.5, only biological females can compete in the female category. This includes individuals with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, as well as certain DSD athletes who fulfil transitional criteria. Athletes with male chromosomes (46XY) who test positive for the SRY gene will be ineligible to compete in the female category at ranking events.
Non-ranking competitions
Such athletes may still compete in non-ranking competitions or in an open category, should one exist.
Provisions remain in place for current DSD athletes who meet testosterone suppression criteria, allowing them to continue competing.
However, no similar exemptions have been included for transgender athletes, as none currently participate at the elite international level.
World Athletics stressed that it does not challenge athletes’ gender identity and will handle all results with strict confidentiality, in compliance with data protection regulations. There is no requirement for athletes to undergo surgery.
Borderline cases
In borderline or complex cases, such as individuals with 46XY DSD conditions, further medical evaluation may be conducted—with the athlete’s informed consent.
Athletes who wish to dispute test results may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, provided they meet other eligibility criteria.
World Athletics insists the testing is consistent with international human rights standards, aiming to strike a balance between fairness, dignity, and inclusion in sport.
“Our goal is to implement the SRY testing process across all world-ranking competitions,” the organisation said. “Any decision regarding the introduction of alternative categories will be considered by the Council in due course.”
