World track and field has confirmed that all female athletes will be tested on swabs to determine if the athlete is a biological woman.
Global President Sebastian Coe said the decision made by the World Track and Field Commission further proves that his organization will “tenirely” protect the women’s category.
A timetable for pre-clearing tests has not been formally listed, but PA News Agency understands that the intention of World Athletics is to test athletes who want to participate in the women’s category at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.
“It’s important to do this because it maintains everything we’ve been talking about, especially lately, not only talking about the integrity of women’s sports, but actually guaranteeing that,” Coe said Tuesday.
“We think it’s a really important way to provide confidence and maintain an absolute focus on the integrity of the competition.”
Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies MBE was pleased in the news on Tuesday that he expressed his joy at the issues of trans athletes who competed in the competition and called for the reissue of medals to “unfairly looting” women.
She posted on social media platforms X: “Male cheats in track and field in the women category. I really want to see medals posted for events of destruction, women are unfairly robbed!
World Track and Field consulted on the proposal earlier this year, Coe said: “For the vast majority of the time, people think it’s definitely the way to go (with the tests being less invasive).
Asked if he thinks the policy will face legal challenges and scrutiny, Coe said: “Yes, I am, but you accept the world we live in.
“If I were to challenge beyond the challenge, I would never again embark on this path to protect the female category in the movement. We have been to the arbitration courts of the DSD (Sexual Development Difference) statute.
“They were maintained and were maintained again after appeal. So we will tenaciously protect the female category and we will do our best. ”
