Coe says gene testing of female athletes almost complete

TOKYO :World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe said on Friday the governing body were within "touching distance" of their goal of having all female athletes undergo gene testing before the start of the World Athletics Championships.

The one-time test, conducted by a cheek swab or blood test, was made a requirement of competing in the female category at the elite level of the sport in March following a meeting of the World Athletics Council.

Coe admitted there had been challenges and clarified that the goal was to have the female cohort tested before the world championships but not necessarily for the tests to be validated.

"We were on 95 per cent I think the other day, we're inching our way there, and we'll be within touching distance," he told a news conference on the eve of the start of the championships.

"It's had its challenges, but we are pretty much there, and I'm really pleased that we agreed to do that."

The tests identify the SRY gene, which is on the Y chromosome and triggers the development of male characteristics in mammals. Any athletes whose test shows the gene will be further investigated to decide their eligibility.

The tests replace previous rules whereby athletes with Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) were able to compete as long as they artificially reduced their testosterone levels.

The most famous DSD athlete is middle distance runner Caster Semenya, who was raised as a female and successfully competed in women's athletics despite developing male characteristics.

Semenya, who won two Olympic gold medals before World Athletics introduced rules limiting her participation in the female class, believes she is the victim of discrimination.

Now 34, the South African has pursued her cause through the law