Coe says gene testing of female athletes almost complete

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FILE PHOTO: Athletics - Diamond League - Final - Zurich - Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - August 28, 2025 General view during the Womens 3000m Final REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth/File Photo

TOKYO - World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe said on Friday the governing body were within touching distance of their goal of having all female athletes undergo gene testing before the start of the World Athletics Championships.

The one-time test, conducted by a cheek swab or blood test, was made a requirement of competing in the female category at the elite level of the sport in March following a meeting of the World Athletics Council.

Coe admitted there had been challenges and clarified that the goal was to have the female cohort tested before the world championships but not necessarily for the tests to be validated.

We were on 95% I think the other day, were inching our way there, and well be within touching distance, he told a news conference on the eve of the start of the championships.

Its had its challenges, but we are pretty much there, and Im really pleased that we agreed to do that.

The tests identify the SRY gene, which is on the Y chromosome and triggers the development of male characteristics in mammals. Any athletes whose test shows the gene will be further investigated to decide their eligibility.

The tests replace previous rules whereby athletes with Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) were able to compete as long as they artificially reduced their testosterone levels.

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