World Athletics Weighs Genetic Testing for Female Athletes Amidst Rising Anti-Trans Sentiment

World Athletics is considering a new rule that could change the landscape of women’s sports. This rule would allow only biological females and specific cases of intersex individuals who cannot react to testosterone to compete in women’s events. This means that elite athletes will have to undergo genetic testing to determine their eligibility.

The testing involves checking for the SRY gene, linked to male biology, and assessing testosterone levels and sensitivity. Currently, trans women who have maintained low testosterone levels for a certain duration are eligible. However, this new rule aims to create clearer guidelines for all competitors.

Caster Semenya, a well-known South African athlete, exemplifies the issues at play. Semenya has faced challenges due to her natural testosterone levels and has chosen not to conform to medication demands that would lower those levels. Under the proposed stricter regulations, genetic factors would be the primary consideration for competition eligibility.

The proposed rules are set to be discussed in late March. This timing coincides with significant events in the sports world, including the election for a new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Current IOC president Thomas Bach has taken a cautious approach to the participation of trans athletes, while Sebastian Coe, current chair of World Athletics, is taking a more rigid stance on protecting the female category in sports.

The experts behind the new guidelines argue that there is evidence showing that even before puberty, differences in athletic abilities exist, giving biological males an edge. They believe that testosterone exposure during puberty significantly impacts physical development, leading to advantages in sports.

World Athletics is addressing the complex issues around determining biological sex. Traditionally, sex has been identified by physical attributes or chromosomes, but it’s not always straightforward. Some individuals have variations that make traditional testing inadequate. Others may not identify with the sex assigned to them at birth, raising further questions about fairness in competition.

This development follows a history of gender verification in sports, including extreme measures taken in previous Olympics where female athletes faced humiliating tests. Over the years, there has been a shift toward more humane and scientific methods of determining eligibility, moving away from outdated practices.

World Athletics insists that these new regulations aim only to ensure fair competition, not to question anyone’s identity or worth. However, there’s an ongoing debate about whether it’s fair to disqualify athletes who simply have a natural advantage. This situation highlights the ongoing complexities of gender and competition in sports.