Overview

• World Athletics set a 1 September 2025 deadline for female athletes to complete a one-time genetic test detecting the SRY gene before the Tokyo World Championships.
• Member federations will administer the test via cheek swab or blood sample, with up to 100% of costs funded by the governing body.
• The measure replaces the 2018 requirement for athletes with Differences in Sexual Development to chemically lower testosterone by using a direct genetic marker to confirm biological sex.
• Transitional provisions allow a small number of DSD athletes on testosterone-suppressing medication to continue competing, while transgender women are excluded under current regulations.
• Caster Semenya’s recent ECHR ruling on procedural fairness did not overturn eligibility rules and her appeal will now return to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.