Overview

• World Athletics is conducting a one‑time SRY gene check via cheek swab or blood to confirm eligibility for the women’s category at world‑ranking events.
• Athletes who test negative for the Y chromosome remain eligible for the women’s category in ranking events, while a positive result limits them to non‑ranking women’s events or another category.
• Sebastian Coe described the process as non‑invasive and one‑off, said results are highly accurate, and stated that the information is destroyed after use.
• Operational snags include Canadian athletes needing retests after noncompliant procedures and French athletes testing outside France or at a team holding camp due to local legal restrictions.
• Testing windows have pushed compliance above 90%, on‑site testing will be available in Tokyo for those still pending, and World Athletics has offered logistical help and a $100 subsidy per test as some athletes report travel and administrative burdens.