Gene Test Now Mandatory Under World Athletics Eligibility Rules

World Athletics has introduced new eligibility rules requiring athletes who wish to compete in the female category in world ranking competitions to undergo a once-in-a-lifetime SRY (sex-determining region Y) gene test. The regulations, based on recommendations from the Gender Diverse Athlete Working Group, came into effect on September 1, 2025.

They apply immediately to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, which began on September 13. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said the governing body was within “touching distance” of its goal of having all female athletes undergo gene testing before the Championships.

Key Changes

As per Rule 3.5.2 of the Eligibility Rules, only the following athletes may compete in the female category:

• Biological females (i.e., with no Y chromosome, irrespective of legal sex and/or gender identity).
• Biological females who have used testosterone as part of male gender-affirming treatment, further to a Therapeutic Use Exemption granted in accordance with World Athletics’ Anti-Doping Rules, may not compete in the female category until the passing of a period of time after their last use of testosterone. This period will not be shorter than four years and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
• Biological males who have Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) and therefore have not gone through male sexual development, including any male puberty.
• Biological males with a difference of sex development who satisfy the transitional provisions issued by World Athletics.

SRY testing is conducted via cheek swab or blood sample. A positive result for the Y chromosome bars the athlete from competing in the female category pending further medical assessment. Athletes who refuse testing will also be ineligible to compete in the female category.

World Athletics clarified that if the applicable rules permit biological males to compete in the female category at a competition that is not a World Rankings Competition, their results will not be recognised for World Records and World Rankings and will instead be listed separately.

The Regulations for the Implementation of Eligibility Rule 3.5 (Male and Female Categories) replace both the ‘Eligibility Regulations for the Female Classification (Athletes with Differences in Sex Development)’ and the ‘Eligibility Regulations for Transgender Athletes.’ They also set out safeguards against discrimination, ensure confidentiality of information, and provide transitional provisions for certain biological male athletes with a difference of sex development

Semenya’s Case

The track and field’s governing body has steadily tightened its rules, drawing renewed attention to two-time Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya’s long-standing challenge to a previous version of its eligibility rules. In July 2025, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Swiss Federal Supreme Court had violated Semenya’s right to a fair hearing when it rejected her 2020 appeal against World Athletics regulations that DSD athletes must reduce their testosterone levels in order to be eligible for international women’s events. The case was not against World Athletics’ DSD regulations directly, but against Switzerland’s government for not protecting her rights.

World Boxing’s Gender Testing Mandate

Meanwhile, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has filed an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against World Boxing’s decision to introduce mandatory sex testing, which forms part of its new eligibility policy. Her interim request to pause the decision was rejected.

IOC Working Group

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which had previously left gender regulations to the governing bodies of individual sports, has now shifted its stance. Following a June announcement, IOC President Kirsty Coventry has set up a working group for protecting the female category as part of the “Fit For The Future” process.