World Athletics is consulting with “stakeholders” (member federations, sponsors, host cities, etc.) on its terms of race eligibility for female athletes.
The world’s governing body for track & field and competitive walking and running seeks to reflect the “latest developments in science, sport and law” in light of changing regulations on DSD (Differences of Sexual Development) and transgenderism. The consultation runs from Feb. 10 to March 5.
The body’s working group has submitted five recommendations, two of them salient:
- for the adoption of a “pre-clearance requirement” for competitors in the Female Category
- for the consideration of “forward initiatives,” some of which are to “support elite gender diverse XY Athletes” (XY being a reference to male-defining chromosomes)
It has otherwise made four commitments, to stand regardless of the consultation’s results:
- not to judge or question gender identity
- to respect and preserve the dignity and privacy of individuals
- to observe confidentiality and follow data-protection laws
- never to impose an obligation to undergo surgery
World Athletics held a meeting on transgender athletes on Oct. 19, 2019. The subsequent report declared an intent to avoid “intolerable unfairness” in women’s competition and settled on serum testosterone as a measure.
It issued new regulations on March 23, 2023, that in effect ban competitors of the male sex from women’s competition. Transgender females must, among other things, submit an extensive medical history.
According to the latest report, for use during the consultation, the test in the pre-clearance requirement “will be for the SRY gene and, if required, testosterone levels, either via cheek swab with any necessary follow-up or via dry blood spot analysis.”
