New Delhi: World Athletics plans to introduce cheek swab tests for top female athletes to determine their eligibility to compete at international events. Through this proposed change of regulations the governing body wants to tighten rules related to eligibility of transgender and difference of sex development (DSD) athletes.
World Athletics has opened a dialogue with athletes over eligibility criteria for females as it states that changes are required due to latest developments in science, sports and law.
A working group has put forward five recommendations that were approved by the World Athletics Council in December and has since been made open for discussion among stakeholders.
During the consultation period that began on Monday and will continue till March 5, athletes’ point of view will be considered on the impact of the proposal though alternative suggestions are not being sought at the moment, as per reports.
The new proposals would effectively view both transgender and DSD athletes equally with eligibility of their participation in the female category depending on the result of a cheek swab.
Female athletes would need to take the test only once in their careers and would look for the SRY gene. Additionally, a dry spot blood test could also be used to determine testosterone levels an athlete.
“The required test will be for the SRY gene and, if required, testosterone levels, either via cheek swab with any necessary follow-up or via dry blood spot analysis,” a World Athletics consultation document read, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“In this context the SRY gene, which is almost always on the Y chromosome, is used as a highly accurate proxy for biological sex but makes room for an additional diagnostic process at the athlete’s discretion.”
‘Fair level playing field’
World Athletics will take a call on the proposals at its council meeting next month. Currently, DSD athletes are required requires to reduce their testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for at least six months to compete in any international event in the female category.
Transgender athletes who underwent male puberty were barred from competing in the female catgory in March 2023.
“Preserving the integrity of competition in the female category is a fundamental principle of the sport of athletics and we look forward to this collaborative consultation process with our key stakeholders in this area,” World Athletics president Lord Coe said on Monday, as quoted by the BCC.
World Athletics is in consultation with female athletes over eligibility criteria as it deems changes are needed after latest developments in science, sports and law. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
