The World Athletics Council has approved new regulations to prevent males participating in female divisions. All athletes participating in female divisions at the World level will be required to undergo a once-in-a-lifetime test for the SRY gene – a reliable proxy for determining biological sex. 

The test is conducted via a simple cheek swab, or in some cases a blood test.

Commenting on the new regulations and SRY test, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “The philosophy that we hold dear in World Athletics is the protection and the promotion of the integrity of women's sport. It is really important in a sport that is permanently trying to attract more women that they enter a sport believing there is no biological glass ceiling. The test to confirm biological sex is a very important step in ensuring this is the case.”

“We are saying, at elite level, for you to compete in the female category, you have to be biologically female. It was always very clear to me and the World Athletics Council that gender cannot trump biology.”

Females who are currently taking testosterone to appropriate male sex stereotypes will not be permitted to compete in the female category. They will have to wait for four years after their last dose if they wish to be considered for the female category. 

The new guidelines are simple, effective and fair, ensuring dignity for all women. Males can still compete in male categories. No one is being banned, it is simply a matter of observing biological reality and participating in ways that are fair, safe and dignified for all involved. 

It is time Australian sporting organisations did the right thing and followed this example. 

^{Image source: Sportcal, Coe will serve a third and final term as president of the governing body.}