World Athletics (WA), the global governing body for track and field, has ratified new policies for eligibility to compete in female events for world ranking competitions.

This decision comes amid global debates on whether athletes with difference of sex development (DSD) have a distinct competitive advantage over other competitors in female events.

These new regulations take effect on September 1, with the WA Championships taking place in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13 to 21.

WA says all athletes wishing to compete in the female category at the World Championships are required to undergo a once-in-a-lifetime test for the SRY gene. This gene is a small piece of DNA (usually found on the Y chromosome, which only males have) that determines whether a baby will develop as a male.

This test will be conducted via a cheek swab or blood test, with athletes having the option to choose whichever is more convenient.

WA President Sebastian Coe says its council has always been firm in its stance that gender cannot trump biology.

“We are saying, at elite level, for you to compete in the female category, you have to be biologically female,” he says. “The philosophy that we hold dear in WA is the protection and the promotion of the integrity of women’s sport. It is really important in a sport that is permanently trying to attract more women that they enter a sport believing there is no biological glass ceiling. The test to confirm biological sex is a very important step in ensuring this is the case.”

WA says the new regulations will be implemented with the standing commitments that it does not judge or question gender identity; it respects and preserves the dignity and privacy of individuals; it strictly observes confidentiality obligations and complies with data protection laws; and that it never has and never would impose any obligation to undergo surgery.

WA says the transitional provisions do not apply to transgender women as there are none competing at the elite international level under the current regulations.

The regulations were arrived at after WA’s Council received and approved recommendations from the Gender Diverse Athlete Working Group in March. The working group spent over a year studying developments in law, science, sports and society concerning gender-diverse athletes.

These recommendations were to formally affirm the design of and goals for the female category; revise the eligibility regulations so that they are consistent with the design and goals; and merge the DSD and Transgender Regulations, and, if the effect is to restrict opportunities for DSD athletes, adopt measures to address the reliance interest of those who are currently in the pipeline.

It also recommended that WA adopt a pre-clearance requirement for all athletes competing in the female category; as well as consider forward initiatives, including to support elite gender diverse XY athletes.

COE…we are saying, at elite level, for you to compete in the female category, you have to be biologically female