World Athletics to Implement Cheek Swab Tests for Athlete Sex Verification
World Athletics, the global governing body for track and field, is set to introduce cheek swab tests to determine an athlete’s biological sex, according to its president Seb Coe. Coe stated that this method is “absolutely the way to go” for verifying eligibility in sports competitions. This move comes as the organization continues to emphasize the importance of fair competition, particularly in women’s events, and follows previous rulings regarding transgender athletes. The initiative aims to uphold the “integrity of competition” within athletics.
Streamlined Testing Process for Athletes
Under the new protocol, athletes will be required to undergo a single cheek swab test throughout their entire career. While a definitive timeframe for implementation has not been officially announced, sources suggest that there is optimism for the system to be operational prior to the World Championships in Tokyo this September.
Maintaining Fairness and Confidence in Competition
Lord Coe elaborated on the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing the necessity of guaranteeing the fairness of women’s sports. “It’s important to do it because it maintains everything that we’ve been talking about,” Coe explained. “Not just talking about the integrity of female women’s sport but actually guaranteeing it.”
Ensuring Competition Integrity
“We feel this is a really important way of providing confidence and maintaining that absolute focus on the integrity of competition,” Coe added, highlighting the broader goal of bolstering trust in the fairness of athletic events.
Athlete Consultation and Legal Preparedness
A dedicated working group, established by the World Athletics council, was tasked with investigating various options for sex verification, ensuring athletes were consulted throughout the deliberation process. Coe expressed confidence that these proposed measures are robust and prepared to withstand potential legal challenges, referencing previous successful defenses in court.
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Addressing Intrusiveness Concerns
Despite acknowledging “caveats” surrounding the need to minimize intrusiveness associated with testing procedures, Coe indicated strong support for this approach. “Overwhelmingly, the view has come back that this is absolutely the way to go,” he affirmed.
Protecting the Female Category
Coe reiterated his commitment to safeguarding the female category in sports, stating his readiness to confront any challenges head-on. “I would never have set off down this path to protect the female category in sport if I’d been anything other than prepared to take the challenge head on. We’ve been to the Court of Arbitration on our DSD (difference of sexual development) regulations.”
Upholding Regulations
“They have been upheld, and they have again been upheld after appeal. So we will doggedly protect the female category, and we’ll do whatever is necessary to do it,” Coe asserted, underlining the organization’s firm stance on the issue.
Olympic Champions to Receive Financial Rewards
In a separate matter, Coe reaffirmed his commitment to financially rewarding Olympic track and field champions at the LA Games in 2028. This follows the precedent set with the introduction of prize funds for gold medalists at the Paris Games last summer. While the exact amounts are yet to be finalized, Coe hinted that the reward could exceed the previous $50,000 payout, demonstrating continued investment in athletes’ success.