In a decisive move to ensure fair play in female sports, World Athletics has given the green light to a new cheek swab testing procedure designed to verify athletes’ biological sex. Federation chief Sebastian Coe emphasized that this measure is key to protecting the integrity of women’s events.
Speaking at a press conference after the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, Coe described the decision as “really important” for the future of female sport. “It’s about more than just talking about the integrity of the women’s category—it’s about guaranteeing it,” he explained, noting that the new test will help build confidence in the fairness of competition.
Although the exact rollout date has not yet been confirmed, the cheek swab protocol is expected to be implemented by the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo later this year. The decision comes after extensive consultations, with the vast majority of stakeholders backing the approach. Coe reassured critics by stating that the test is not overly intrusive.
World Athletics has consistently strived to balance inclusivity with fair competition when it comes to gender identification in the international arena.
The announcement arrives amid broader discussions on maintaining equity in international athletics. While the policy has generated debate worldwide, it underlines World Athletics’ commitment to ensuring a level playing field for female competitors.
This new rule will be closely watched as it takes effect on the world stage and could set the benchmark for more sports as well.