World Athletics Implements Mandatory Biological Sex Testing for Female Athletes

World Athletics has announced a controversial policy requiring genetic testing for female athletes to verify their biological sex, a decision influenced by pressure from President Donald Trump and advocates for excluding transgender athletes from women's sports. The tests will involve cheek swabs or blood samples to detect the SRY gene, marking a significant shift in gender eligibility rules aimed at maintaining fairness in competitions. President Sebastian Coe emphasized the necessity of these tests to protect the integrity of women's sports, stating they would only need to be conducted once. While the policy has garnered support from some, including former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, it has also faced strong backlash from advocacy groups who view it as invasive and discriminatory. The ruling comes amid a broader global debate over gender inclusivity in sports, highlighted by disqualifications and controversies surrounding upcoming events like the Paris 2024 Olympics. Critics argue that the new measures could further complicate the already contentious discourse on gender and sports.