World Athletics introduces mandatory sex testing for female athletes

Sports governing body World Athletics has announced that competitors entering female competitions must undertake mandatory sex testing under a new policy released amid an ongoing row about trans athletes.

The international athletics organisation said that the tests, which come as part of its campaign to “protect women’s sports,” would seek to verify if a competitor has undergone male puberty or has a difference in sex development that provides so-called “testosterone advantages.”

The body’s president, Lord Sebastian Coe, said that the pre-clearance tests will be for anyone seeking to be able to compete in any of its female categories, including track-and-field, cross country, mountain running, and other events.