By our reporter 10.9.2025
World Athletics said biological testing of female athletes is a procedure meant to guarantee the integrity of the women category.
Ahead of the World Championships, which starts on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan the WA said 95% of the female athletes who will compete have been tested and the genetic testing would be a regular measure in future events.
The WA introduced the SRY test as part of new regulations aimed at verifying athletes’ biological sex in the context of women’s competitions.
“This has been a whole sport response to a principle that we all fundamentally believe in, which is to protect the female category,” said WA president Sebastian Coe.
Meanwhile Olympics and World Champion in the women long jump Malaika Mihambo welcomed the testing but canvassed for more efficient ways.
“Everything had to be organized on short notice, which is difficult for the federations, and possibly for the athletes who are not from countries where the federations have the capacity to do it in a short time frame,” Mihambo told DPA
The athlete believes that a more efficient way would have been to test the podium finishers, the top eight or top 12 at the worlds.
Malaika Mihambo...set for Tokyo Worlds contest.