Track and Field Introduces Groundbreaking DNA Testing for Female Athletes

In a significant move for women's athletics, World Athletics announced it will implement mandatory DNA sex testing for female competitors, a decision propelled by ongoing debates over inclusion and integrity in sports.

Track and field will become the pioneer Olympic sport to require DNA sex testing for female athletes, according to an announcement made by World Athletics, the sport's governing body. This decision has been made public amidst ongoing discussions about eligibility regulations in women's sports, particularly following the controversies during the Paris Olympics around the accomplishments of two women in boxing who faced scrutiny regarding their qualifications.

Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics and a former Olympic champion, emphasized that the new testing policy is crucial for safeguarding the integrity of female competitions. The DNA testing will involve non-invasive methods such as cheek swabs or dry blood samples. Coe expressed that this initiative is vital to ensuring the integrity of female athletics, stating, “We’re not just talking about the integrity of female women’s sport, but actually guaranteeing it.”

The organization foresees these testing protocols becoming operational in time for the upcoming world championships scheduled in Tokyo this September. Coe's commitment to enhancing the integrity of women's competitions has generated polarized responses, particularly since track and field has imposed restrictions on transgender athletes from participating in women’s events since 2023.

This new policy is part of a concerted effort to provide clarity and confidence in competitive female sports, as the discussions around eligibility criteria continue to dominate social media platforms and public discourse.