The last few years have been quite exhausting in the world of sports. One such headache has been the back and forth discussions of where trans athletes should compete. Should they be allowed to compete with their newly-identified gender, or should they be held to their naturally-born gender?
This week, the Olympics have made a declaration that will put an end to the conversation, at least where one sport is concerned. Track and field events will require a DNA sex testing for athletes entering female competitions. This is the first of such a test in any Olympic sport.
This announcement, has no doubt been in the wings for quite some time. Just last year, the controversy emerged over the Paris Olympics due to this type of female competitor eligibility. For those who may not recall, there were two trans-women who ultimately won gold medals in boxing. Some still argue as to the legitimacy of their competing, and whether their inclusion in the events was fair to natural born women.
Sebastian Coe, a former Olympic gold medalist in the 1500 meters, and current head of World Athletics is an avid proponent of the tests. The test is described as being a noninvasive cheek swab or dry blood DNA test. Coe believes it is essential to “doggedly protect the female category and do whatever it takes to protect it.”
Testing May Be Unveiled In Tokyo
World Athletics said the new testing could be instituted as soon as the next Olympic events held this September in Tokyo, Japan.
“We’re not just talking about the integrity of female women’s spot, but actually guaranteeing it,” Coe told reporters in Nanjing, China. “And this, we feel, is a really important way of providing confidence and maintaining that absolute focus on the integrity of competition.”
Coe’s push for this testing does seem to be in line with the nominal arguments held on social media, largely attacking the sanctity of competition with those who may have an unfair advantage. Track has banned transgender athletes from women’s events since 2023.
These bans bar a minority of competitors lacking the typical female XX chromosomes. They also address certain medical conditions that are generally known as ‘differences in sex development’ or DSD. DSD describes certain people who are born female, have all outward appearances of a female body, but have a different genetic norm. This leads some women to genetically produce higher levels of testosterone, have greater muscle development, or even a larger than average stamina. None of that could possibly affect a sporting event, right?
Track and field has led the debate since Caster Semenya back in 2009 exploded onto the scene winning the 800 meter gold. Her appearance, seemingly more ‘manish’ than other competitors was called into question. Caster was tested, and was found to be a naturally-female athlete. However, the tests did reveal that Caster did have a rare genetic trait, resulting in unusually elevated testosterone.
Caster went on to win the 800 meter gold twice more, at London 2012, and Rio 2016. 2016 is of note, all 3 medalists in that race were DSD athletes. Some thought it was a sign of things to come, and not all were pleased.
DSD Athletes Require Medication
In 2018, track officials mandated that all DSD athletes needed to take medication limiting the levels of testosterone in their systems. Failure to do so would be met with disqualification. However, this requirement seems to be on its way out the window.
World Athletics says their policy is changing, due to research on the matter. WA predicates this change on research showing that the advantages natural-born males exhibit can predate even puberty. The overall benefits between men and women were up to 5% in any running sport. When tested for throwing or jumping events, the gap was even wider.
Human rights groups have previously been outspoken condemning these rules, claiming none of them are valid. Gender eligibility testing and requirements to suppress testosterone have been described as abusive and harmful.
Coe responded by assuring all involved of the test’s neutrality.
“The process is very straightforward, frankly. Neither of these are invasive. They are necessary and they will be done to absolute medical standards.”
Coe also states that the testing will be done only once per female athlete.
Semenya had previously contested the rules of testing, taking the matter up all the way to the international sport’s court. She did lose her case in 2019, but that doesn’t mean she will be the last to plead against the testing. Coe states his ready to defend the new rules in court as well, if need be.
New Head Of IOC May Make New Regulations
The debate regarding who is or isn’t able to participate in female sports raged on in the recent International Olympics Committee election. Coe and several other past gold medalists ran, but ultimately lost the seat to Kirsty Coventry, who herself is a former gold medal swimmer out of Zimbabwe. Coventry will take control of the IOC this coming June.
Coventry already stated she is going to be setting up a task force on the matter. She will discuss ideas with leaders of other sports in order to brainstorm ideas on protecting women’s sports. She declined to disclose specifics at this time, but called for “a little more sensitivity” towards athletes with DSD. In the past, the IOC rejected sex testing, but Coventry did not immediately deny the possibility of testing being implemented. Only time will tell what her next move will be.
President Donald Trump has previously been outspoken on the issue. Before the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, he has declared there are only two genders, and ordered bans on transgender visas. Not being allowed to enter the United States in any form just might affect their competing.
