New rules in female athletics – level 3

28-03-2025 07:00

World Athletics has introduced mandatory cheek swabbing to confirm the gender of athletes competing in the female category.

The organization’s president, Sebastian Coe, stated that this measure is necessary to protect female sports and ensure fair competition. The tests will start at the World Championships in Tokyo in September. A testing provider is currently being selected, and the procedure will only be required once in an athlete’s career. Coe emphasized that maintaining the integrity of women’s sports is a priority. He stated that World Athletics has been working on this issue for years and has defended its regulations in court. The decision has led to discussions about whether other sports federations might adopt similar measures.

This topic is widely debated, with some critics arguing that such testing could become invasive. While World Athletics insists the tests are non-invasive, past gender testing methods have been controversial. The issue of fairness and inclusion in sports remains a significant concern for international sports organizations.

Difficult words: mandatory (something that must be done), swab (a small medical test), invasive (causing discomfort or harm).

You can watch the video news lower on this page.

How does the organization's president justify the one-time testing process at the Tokyo Championships, and what concerns have been raised by critics regarding similar procedures in sports?

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