World Athletics set to introduce cheek swab test for those in women’s category

The governing body’s president Sebastian Coe wants to ensure ‘a fair and level playing field in the female category’.

World Athletics, and its president Sebastian Coe, is set to introduce a cheek swab to determine an athlete’s biological sex. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA

All track and field athletes wishing to compete in the elite women’s category will be required to prove they are biologically female via a cheek swab under new rules set to be adopted by the sport.

World Athletics is consulting with athletes on the impact of proposed changes to its regulations on the eligibility of transgender women and athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD).