World Athletics, led by president Sebastian Coe, has announced that DNA testing will now be required for athletes competing in women's events. This decision aims to uphold the integrity of women's sport amidst ongoing debates regarding the inclusion of transgender athletes. Coe emphasized that the organization made this decision after extensive consultations with over 70 groups. The testing will involve non-invasive methods and occur once in an athlete's career, reflecting Athletics' commitment to protecting the female category in competitions.
It maintains everything that we've been talking about, especially about guaranteeing the integrity of female women's sport. This is a really important way to provide confidence.
This decision follows an exhaustive review and consultations with over 70 sporting and advocacy groups. Overwhelmingly, the view has come back that this is absolutely the way to go.
Competitors will be subject to non-invasive cheek swabs and dry blood-spot tests and will only be checked once in their career.
We will doggedly protect the female category and we will do whatever is necessary to do it, and we're not just talking about it.
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