Track and Field becomes first Olympic sport to introduce DNA sex testing for female competitors

Track and Field is planning to introduce compulsory DNA sex testing for athletes taking part in female competitions, becoming the first Olympic sport to introduce the requirement. The change comes against a backdrop of fierce debate about the issue.

Eligibility rules in female sports is a big topic of discussion and comes less than 12 months after the issue erupted at the Paris Olympics. That competition brought boxing in the limelight and triggered strong reactions from netizens.

Track and Field has certainly been at the forefront of the debate since Caster Semenya exploded into the public consciousness by clinching gold in the 800 metres in a major championship in 2009.

Nonetheless, human rights groups earlier criticised Track and Field’s rules, describing the gender eligibility tests as harmful. Since the return of Donald Trump as US President in December 2024, the topic remains in focus.