In a landmark decision, World Athletics has approved the introduction of a cheek swab test to determine the biological sex of athletes, marking a significant shift in gender verification policies in competitive sports.
The governing body, led by Sebastian Coe, announced its recent Council meeting, emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of the female category in athletics.
The Rationale Behind the Decision
Sebastian Coe defended the move, stating that it aligns with the organization’s ongoing commitment to ensuring fairness in women’s sports.
“It’s important to do this because it maintains everything that we’ve been talking about—about not just protecting the integrity of female sports but guaranteeing it,” Coe said during a press conference after the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China.
The swab test is intended to serve as a non-intrusive means of gender verification, replacing previous methods such as blood tests or more invasive medical examinations.
According to Coe, World Athletics conducted extensive consultations before implementing the policy, and the response was overwhelmingly supportive.
The Science Behind the Swab Test
The cheek swab test will analyze an athlete’s DNA to determine chromosomal sex, distinguishing between XX (biologically female) and XY (biologically male) individuals.
While this is a more straightforward approach compared to testosterone level measurements, critics argue that it does not fully account for intersex variations and conditions like Differences in Sex Development (DSD), which can complicate binary gender classifications in sports.
World Athletics has previously implemented testosterone regulations, restricting athletes with naturally high levels of testosterone from competing in the female category unless they undergo medical treatment to lower their levels.
The new policy reinforces the organization’s stance on gender classification in elite sports.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Coe acknowledged the potential legal challenges that could arise from the implementation of the swab test but remained resolute in defending the decision.
“I would never have set off down this path to protect the female category in sport if I’d been anything other than prepared to take the challenge head-on,” he said.
The policy could face opposition on human rights grounds, as similar regulations in the past have led to legal disputes. In 2019, South African middle-distance runner Caster Semenya contested World Athletics’ DSD regulations at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), ultimately losing her appeal.
The ruling upheld the restrictions placed on athletes with naturally high testosterone levels, setting a precedent for future gender-related regulations in sports.
Reactions from the Athletics Community
The decision has elicited mixed reactions from athletes, sports federations, and advocacy groups. Supporters argue that it is a necessary step in maintaining fair competition, while critics view it as discriminatory and exclusionary.
Support for the Decision
Many female athletes and organizations advocating for fairness in women’s sports have welcomed the policy.
They argue that biological males who transition or have DSD conditions often retain advantages in muscle mass, bone density, and cardiovascular capacity, even if their testosterone levels are reduced.
Prominent British runner Paula Radcliffe voiced her support, stating, “This is an important decision that helps safeguard women’s sports. The biological differences between males and females cannot be ignored when it comes to fair competition.”
Opposition and Criticism
On the other hand, human rights organizations and some athletes have condemned the move as discriminatory against transgender and intersex athletes.
Trans rights advocate Joanna Harper, a researcher in gender and sports science, argued, “This policy reduces gender to a binary classification that does not reflect the complexities of human biology. It could lead to the exclusion of athletes who have competed fairly for years.”
Similarly, South African Olympic champion Caster Semenya, who has been at the center of past gender eligibility controversies, criticized the policy as another attempt to police women’s bodies in sports.
“This is yet another unnecessary burden placed on athletes like me, who just want to compete without being subjected to invasive scrutiny,” Semenya said in a statement.
Global Implications and Future Challenges
The adoption of the swab test could influence other sports federations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has faced similar debates over gender classification policies.
With the 2025 World Championships and the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, the issue of gender eligibility in sports will likely remain a contentious topic.
In addition, legal challenges could emerge from athletes or advocacy groups who argue that the policy violates international human rights standards.
If challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) or in national courts, the swab test policy could set a significant precedent for gender verification in global sports.
World Athletics’ decision to implement a swab test for gender verification underscores the ongoing tensions between fairness, inclusion, and scientific classification in elite sports.
While the governing body maintains that the policy is essential for protecting the female category, critics argue that it discriminates against intersex and transgender athletes.
As the debate continues, the future of gender classification in athletics remains uncertain. Whether this policy will withstand legal scrutiny and be widely accepted by the global sports community is yet to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that the conversation around gender in sports is far from over.
