Policy Requires Athletes Competing in Women's Events to Undergo One-Time SRY Gene Screening

Published on March 26 by Matt

World Athletics has announced a groundbreaking and controversial policy requiring mandatory genetic testing for female athletes competing at the international level. The decision, unveiled during the 2025 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, has reignited a global debate over eligibility, fairness, and human rights in sports.

Why It Matters

The new regulation mandates that all female athletes undergo a one-time genetic test to screen for the presence of the SRY gene—a genetic marker typically found on the Y chromosome. Athletes who test positive will be deemed ineligible to compete in women’s events, regardless of their gender identity, testosterone levels, or whether they have undergone male puberty.

This policy marks a significant shift from previous eligibility criteria, which primarily focused on testosterone regulation and physiological markers to determine eligibility in women's categories.

Background & Context

World Athletics has steadily tightened its rules regarding sex and gender eligibility over recent years:

• In 2023, the organization barred transgender women who experienced male puberty from competing in women’s events.
• Athletes with differences of sex development (DSD) were required to lower their testosterone levels to below 2.5 nmol/L for at least six months before competing in female categories.

Despite these measures, a recent review by the World Athletics working group determined that previous regulations did not fully address certain biological advantages, such as increased muscle mass, bone density, and cardiovascular capacity, which some experts argue persist even after testosterone suppression.

Reactions & Controversy

The new policy has sparked mixed reactions from athletes, scientists, and human rights organizations:

• Supporters argue that genetic testing provides a clear, objective standard for eligibility and ensures fairness in women’s sports by maintaining a level playing field.
• Critics, including LGBTQ+ advocates and medical ethicists, argue that the policy is invasive, discriminatory, and a violation of privacy. They also raise concerns about how genetic traits alone determine athletic performance.
• Athletes affected by the ruling—particularly those with DSD conditions—have voiced frustration and disappointment, stating that the policy could exclude talented athletes who have trained their entire lives for elite competition.

Scientific and Ethical Concerns

The use of genetic testing as a sole determinant for eligibility is a highly complex and contentious issue. While the SRY gene is associated with male development, genetic sex does not always align with an individual’s physiological or hormonal profile. Critics argue that athletic performance is influenced by multiple biological and environmental factors, not just genetics.

Medical experts also warn that genetic screening could set a dangerous precedent, leading to further policing of biological traits in sports and potential ethical dilemmas regarding genetic privacy.

What Comes Next?

With the policy set to take effect ahead of major competitions like the 2025 World Championships and the 2028 Olympics, legal challenges are expected. Several advocacy groups have already hinted at potential appeals to human rights organizations and sports arbitration bodies.

World Athletics has stated that it remains open to discussions and further research but maintains that the policy is necessary to protect the integrity of women’s sports.

The introduction of mandatory genetic testing by World Athletics marks a historic and polarizing moment in the regulation of women’s sports. While the governing body insists that fairness and competition integrity are at the heart of the decision, the implications for affected athletes and broader discussions about biological sex, gender identity, and genetic ethics will likely continue to spark debate in the sporting world for years to come.

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