British female track and field athletes are being told they may need to pay for their own eligibility tests to compete in international competitions under new requirements tied to World Athletics regulations.
World Athletics — the global governing body for athletics — now requires athletes competing in the women’s category at major championships and Diamond League events to complete an SRY gene test.
The test is designed to detect the presence of the Y chromosome and is typically conducted through a cheek swab or blood sample. The screening costs around £185 and, once completed, athletes do not need to repeat it again during their careers.
The policy forms part of broader eligibility rules introduced by World Athletics aimed at restricting transgender women and certain intersex athletes from competing in the women’s category.
While the international body has previously helped fund the testing process, British athletes hoping to compete internationally are now being advised by UK Athletics to arrange and pay for the test themselves to avoid delays in team selection.
Athletes have reportedly been encouraged to complete the test “as soon as possible” to ensure they meet eligibility requirements before major competitions.
Male athletes are not required to undergo similar testing to compete in the men’s category.
UK Athletics has acknowledged the potential financial burden the requirement may place on some competitors. The federation has said a hardship fund exists to support athletes who cannot afford the test, though requests for assistance are assessed individually.
The development comes amid ongoing global debate within sport over eligibility rules for transgender and intersex athletes, with governing bodies across multiple sports introducing stricter policies in recent years.
