In a landmark decision, World Athletics has approved the introduction of a one-time genetic test for elite athletes seeking to compete in the women’s category at international events.

The test is part of a broader initiative to tighten regulations surrounding the eligibility of transgender and athletes with Differences in Sex Development (DSD), marking a significant step in the organization’s efforts to safeguard fairness in women’s competition.

The decision, which was approved at the World Athletics Council meeting, mandates that athletes wishing to compete in the women’s category will need to undergo a “pre-clearance” process. This includes a genetic test for the SRY gene, a marker almost exclusively found on the male Y chromosome, which serves as a highly accurate proxy for biological sex. The test will be required only once in an athlete’s career.

Athletes will take a simple cheek swab test to detect the SRY gene, with an alternative dried blood spot test also available to measure their testosterone levels alongside the genetic test. These measures are intended to ensure that all athletes meet the stringent criteria required for eligibility in the women’s category, maintaining the integrity of competition.

Lord Sebastien Coe, president of World Athletics, emphasized that the move underscores the governing body’s commitment to “doggedly” protecting the female category in athletics. The decision follows the organization’s 2023 ban on transgender athletes who have gone through male puberty from competing in the women’s category in international competitions.

Current regulations for DSD athletes remain in place, requiring those affected to lower their testosterone levels to below 2.5 nmol/L for a minimum of six months to be eligible for international female competitions. The new development will merge regulations for both DSD and transgender athletes, reflecting new evidence that testosterone suppression alone may not sufficiently address the “overall male advantage” in athletics.