Canadian athletes face stress and delays as World Athletics mandates invasive SRY gene testing ahead of the Tokyo World Championships.
Gene Test Chaos Disrupts Canadian Athletes Before Worlds
Athletes caught off guard by late rule change
Canadian track and field athletes are scrambling to meet a sudden testing requirement before the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sept. 13–21. World Athletics introduced mandatory SRY gene testing in late July, leaving competitors with just weeks to comply.
Confusion over failed saliva tests
In August, Athletics Canada informed athletes that saliva samples collected at nationals in Ottawa did not meet World Athletics’ criteria. The governing body required blood-based testing, forcing dozens of athletes to redo the process under tight deadlines.
Canadian competitors forced to travel for tests
Two Canadian women training in Europe told CBC Sports the new mandate disrupted their training. One drove 75 minutes across a border to find a compliant lab, while another endured a four-to-five-hour trip in Spain. Both described the process as stressful, expensive, and “invasive.”
Debate over fairness and ethics
The SRY gene test determines if genetic material linked to male sex determination is present. Critics argue the test is unnecessary, invasive, and discriminatory. Athletes and healthcare providers alike have questioned its ethics, while World Athletics insists it protects the integrity of female competition.
Costs add to mounting frustration
Testing costs vary by country, from $40 to more than $200. Some athletes worry expenses—combined with travel and training disruptions—are an unfair burden. Athletics Canada has confirmed testing fees will be covered, but questions remain about international athletes facing similar hurdles.
Uncertainty ahead of championships
Sept. 1 deadline looming, about 37 Canadian women are racing to complete testing. World Athletics maintains the policy is a necessary safeguard, but for athletes already under pressure to perform, the rollout has become yet another obstacle on the road to Tokyo.
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