World Athletics Council Announces Chromosome Testing

A Measure Prepared by a Consultation

From February 10 to March 5, the WAC launched a consultation process on its eligibility requirements for the female category in cases of Variations of Sex Development (DSD) and transgender. The goal was to allow for reflection on its eligibility rules, while keeping abreast of scientific, sporting, legal, and societal developments concerning athletes.

The task force's mission is to enable World Athletics to consider the implications of these developments on its programming, eligibility rules, and educational initiatives, while upholding its fundamental commitments to its elite global community.

A Pre-Clearance Condition

Following this consultation, WAC President Sebastian Coe announced a "non-invasive" test that will be administered to athletes before they participate in women's sports competitions.

This measure aims to preserve fairness in sport and ensure that biological females are not replaced by men suffering from gender dysphoria. The decision has been welcomed by many advocates for fair sport.

Those wishing to compete in women's competitions will be required to meet the "pre-clearance requirements" at some point in their career. While no timeline has been officially confirmed, the Press Association reports that WAC aims to implement it for the September World Championships in Tokyo.

This measure is part of the recommendations approved at the World Athletics Council meeting aimed at strengthening regulations regarding the eligibility of transgender and intersex athletes. Lord Coe, president of the governing body, said the decision was further proof that World Athletics would "fiercely" protect the women's category.

"It's important to do this because it upholds everything we've been talking about, particularly recently, not only about the integrity of women's sport, but also about ensuring it," he added.

“We believe this is a truly important way to build confidence and maintain this absolute focus on the integrity of the competition.” The WAC stated that it is currently working on implementing the test, with a timeline to be finalized “in the coming weeks.”

The test will look for the SRY gene, which is part of the Y chromosome and causes the development of male characteristics. A cheek swab test will determine if SRY is present, while a dried blood spot test could also be used to determine an athlete’s testosterone levels.

World Athletics stated that the test is “a highly accurate indicator of biological sex” and should only be performed once per athlete during their career. A WAC press release also stated that “the majority of stakeholders consulted last month on the proposed new eligibility requirements for the women’s category agreed that allowing only biological females to participate was essential to maintain fairness.”

Previous Regulations

Two years ago, the WAC banned transgender athletes who had experienced male puberty from competing in the female category at international competitions. Last month, its working group recommended new measures. This was based on new evidence showing there was a "significant performance gap before the onset of puberty."

In addition, the WAC will also merge regulations for DSD and transgender athletes after the working group stated that new evidence showed that testosterone suppression "may only partially mitigate the overall male advantage in the sport of athletics."

The current rules for DSD athletes required them to reduce their testosterone levels to a set level for at least six months to compete in any women's event at the international level.

This new regulation, which has hit hard the delusional aspirations of men who consider themselves women, brings a little common sense back into people's minds and reduces the scope of gender ideology.