This week, a new rule demanding all female athletes in the world’s ranking competitions entered into force, which entered into a disposable genetic test.
The measure announced by world athletics is called to maintain the women’s category by checking the presence of a sry gene associated with male development. Supporters see the move as a long-term move to justice, and critics say it raises scientific, legal and ethical concerns.
What is the new test looking for?
Test searches: Sry geneA passage of a chromosome that develops a man in puberty. Currently, it usually leads to the formation of tests and the level of testosterone, which, in turn, affect the muscle mass and force. Athletes who have xx chromosomes, and therefore no sry gene, fall into the female category.
Complications arise for athletes born with differences in sex development (DSD). Some individuals can be registered as a woman at birth and raised as such, but you still have XY chromosomes. In these cases, the test aims to clarify the jurisdiction. World Athletics says everyone who tests positive, later be assessed, and only on the conditions such as complete Androgen’s unknown syndrome (CAIS), which allows the body to use testosterone.
The introduction of such clear rules also invited comparisons to other regulated systems. Just as punters look List of betting exchange sites Before placing vases, they understand the rules of each platform, the governing bodies now use a fixed tool to determine who qualifies to the women’s competition. The point of both cases is the same. The results should be reliable, and trust rely on transparent rules.
How will test be made
Each athlete should only take a test once. The process includes either a cheek mop or a small blood sample that is presented to their National Federation. So far, more than 9 of the ten athletes in the World Championships have already finished the process, the rest of the tests immediately before the competition.
There have been some obstacles. For example, the athletes of France and Norway had to travel abroad because domestic legislation prevents genetic tests outside of medical contexts. The technical issue in Canada meant that several samples had to be transformed. Despite these complications, the chairman of the World Athletics, insists that Athletes have shown a wide supportThe rules of power assure that women’s competition remains protected.
Why now?
Discussions on gender and competence have been shaken for more than a decade of athletics. First of all, it dignified the whole world’s attention in 2009, when the world championships took about 800 meters at 800 m. Semenia was later discovered as a DSD condition, prompting that the existing rules were enough to ensure justice.
Since then, the world’s athletics have stable steadily. Preliminary trials required DSD athletes to reduce their testosterone levels on average distance. Later, changes extended these requirements in all tracks and field competitions. In 2023, transgender women who went to a man’s sexual maturity were excluded from women’s events. The new SRENE GENE test is the latest escalation, which was presented after the study, the reduction of the proposed testosterone did not completely removed the benefits of men’s sexuality.
Outside of athletics
Other sports are already notified. The world boxing has adopted a similar rule, the athletes of the female category claim the same test. This comes after the situation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, when the boxers won the golden Musta and Lee Ting, despite the previously failed competence of the body. That episode forced us to call for consistency in international sports.
The International Olympic Committee has so far resisted the adoption of the rules of the blanket, citing concerns about justice and inclusion. However, painting closer to 2028 games in Los Angeles is placing pressure on a common standard. The new chairman of the IOC says that women’s sports are a priority, while US President Donald Trump has already promised that L … 2028 will require a certain form of sexual testing.
Divided feedback
Not everyone agrees with the approach. Some scientists claim that the test is very clear, noting that only the presence of SRY GENE does not take into account the wide range of natural fluctuations in sex. Andrew Sinler, the researcher who first recognized SRY GENE in 1990, saying that the mandatory use of it was perfect. Others warn of potential false positives if samples are polluted.
There are also confidential concerns. The former Olympic Madele Pate, which is now a sociologist, highlighted the risk of athletes, which inevitably “came out” with medical details, which they may not know. Nikki Hiltz, who uses medium-sized American average, has also criticized the rule, saying that resources are better aimed at anti-doping measures and athletes.
World Athletics claims that privacy is carefully treated. Results are uploaded for a safe system, and athletes may require testing or challenge the Arbitration Court. The organization also claims that this method is more humane than demanding DSD athletes to change their natural hormone level, which previously captivated severe criticism.
Could follow legal action.
Legal challenges are almost certain. Semenia itself has been from the court for years and to arrest earlier regulations. Although he lost the basic calls, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2025 that the right to a fair trial was violated during that process. This decision can encourage new complaints against the latest rules.
The Council of Europe has expressed confidence that the testing requirement will stand, emphasizing that human rights obligations have been considered carefully. Supporters claim that the means is necessary to provide fair competition for women’s athletes. Detractors contradict that it risk discrimination and relies on incomplete science.
For now, the rule is in place and is already transforming the women’s category in athletics. Whether it brings clarity or causes another phase of disputes, it remains to be seen, but its impact will feel good.
