Female Canadian athletes have been informed that the gene tests they recently took do not meet the requirements set by World Athletics. This has prompted them to urgently complete new tests before the September 1 deadline for the upcoming world championships.
Similarly, French athletes are also seeking opportunities outside their country to undergo the required tests, as the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Sports in France have deemed the tests illegal.
Athletics Canada had commissioned Dynacare to conduct SRY gene tests, which help determine biological sex, during the national championships. However, an email sent to athletes this week revealed that the test kits provided did not meet the necessary standards.
Athletics Canada CEO Mathieu Gentes stated that the federation is working diligently to meet the September 1 deadline set by World Athletics for completing the tests. Dynacare is in the process of sending new test kits to athletes in Canada and the U.S., along with testing locations.
The French Athletics Federation (FFA) had planned to conduct tests at their national championships but was prevented from doing so due to the French Bioethics Law enacted in 1994. The FFA expressed confidence in World Athletics finding a swift solution to ensure French athletes can participate in international competitions smoothly.
World Athletics is collaborating with the French federation and other countries like Poland, Belgium, and Switzerland to facilitate testing for athletes at upcoming Diamond League meetings.
The introduction of a test to determine an athlete’s biological sex was approved by World Athletics at their council meeting in March. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe emphasized the importance of this test in ensuring gender equality in sports.
World Athletics reassured that female athletes who have completed the test but are awaiting results past the deadline can still compete in the upcoming world championships. Any adverse results will be investigated post-competition.
Despite criticism regarding the swift implementation of genetic testing regulations, World Athletics maintains its stance that the process was necessary to ensure a level playing field for all elite female athletes participating in the world championships.