Overview

• Approved July 30 by the World Athletics Council, the regulation takes effect on September 1 and will apply to the World Championships in Tokyo starting September 13.
• Athletes must submit a one-time genetic assay—via oral swab or blood sample—to detect the SRY gene on the Y chromosome and verify biological sex.
• Only competitors who test negative for SRY will qualify for women’s world-level competitions, while those with a positive result may compete only in lower-tier or alternative categories.
• The mandate replaces previous eligibility rules based on testosterone limits and implements recommendations from the Gender Diversity Athlete Working Group, mirroring a similar boxing rule introduced in May 2025.
• The policy has drawn criticism from transgender and intersex advocacy groups, though President Sebastian Coe argues it is essential to prevent unfair biological advantages.