Canadian women athletes have learned that their newly administered genetic tests do not meet World Athletics’ standards, forcing a scramble to arrange new testing before the September 1 deadline for the world championships in Tokyo.
France is facing a parallel hurdle. Athletes there are seeking testing options outside the country after the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sports ruled the one-off tests illegal under French law. The French Athletics Federation (FFA) had planned to test athletes at the national championships, but was informed that such tests are prohibited under the 1994 French Bioethics Law. As a result, no action was taken at the championships. The federation expressed confidence that World Athletics can quickly find a solution to ensure French athletes can compete under the best possible conditions.
World Athletics is coordinating to help athletes obtain tests at other meets or at pre-worlds training camps outside France. The organization is also working with federations from Poland, Belgium, and Switzerland to facilitate testing for athletes at the four remaining Diamond League meetings hosted by those countries.
Understanding the policy, World Athletics approved the SRY test in March to determine biological sex. The federation emphasized that the introduction of the test was always intended to address fairness in a sport striving to attract more female participants. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe highlighted that the process would be straightforward and timely, with a testing provider to be selected and timelines established. Details of the test were officially announced on July 31. Coe stressed that the test is an important step toward ensuring female athletes compete without a biological glass ceiling.
According to Athletics Canada, World Athletics is not worried that athletes will miss the September 13-21 worlds in Tokyo due to the testing deadline. Jackie Brock-Doyle, World Athletics Director of Special Projects, estimated that about 40-50% of athletes have already been tested. Those who have completed the test but are awaiting results past the deadline can still compete in Japan.
What this means for athletes
– Affected Canadian and French athletes must complete new testing arrangements to remain eligible for global events.
– Testing is being organized through multiple channels, including outside the home country and at specific international meets, to avoid clashes with national schedules.
– World Athletics is coordinating cross-border testing with several European federations to ensure a smooth path to Tokyo.
Additional context and outlook
– The SRY-based eligibility checks are part of broader debates around gender, fairness, and inclusivity in athletics, including discussions about transgender athletes and differences in sex development (DSD).
– While some governments and national bodies debate the legality and ethics of genetic testing in sport, World Athletics argues that these measures are designed to preserve fair competition and provide a clear framework for participation.
Summary
As athletes prepare for the Tokyo world championships, testing logistics continue to unfold across Canada, France, and other European nations. World Athletics remains engaged with national federations to facilitate access to testing, while reaffirming the aim of creating a level playing field for competitors. The immediate focus is on meeting the September 1 deadline to ensure athletes can participate in Tokyo under the federation’s updated guidelines.
Further notes
– Athletes should stay in close contact with their national bodies for current testing locations and submission timelines.
– Keep an eye on official World Athletics announcements for provider details and any changes to testing windows as the Tokyo event approaches.
– The evolving policy reflects ongoing discussions about gender inclusivity and fairness in elite athletics, and may influence how other sports address similar questions in the future.
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