07/20/26 10:31:00
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07/20 10:28 CDT WTA introduces gene testing for all players on women's tennis
tour
WTA introduces gene testing for all players on women's tennis tour
BERLIN (AP) --- The Women's Tennis Association is introducing one-off mandatory
gene-testing for all players effective from Tuesday -- a requirement to compete
at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The WTA updated its women's eligibility policy to include gender screening
"based on biological sex" this week "to preserve the integrity of women's
professional tennis and maintain fair competition conditions for all players."
The new policy takes the organization in line with the eligibility policy
introduced by the International Olympic Committee in March to align with U.S.
President Donald Trump's executive order on sports ahead of the 2028 Games.
The WTA is complying with what is effectively an order from the IOC that
Olympic sports bodies are following, though it remained unclear how many, if
any, transgender women are competing at Games level.
Players are to be tested for the SRY gene, a segment of DNA typically found on
the Y chromosome that initiates male sex development in utero and indicates the
presence of testes.
"In this policy, ?biological male' means an individual who, regardless of their
legal sex or gender identity, has an SRY gene and therefore has or previously
had testes or streak testes; and ?biological female' means an individual who,
regardless of their legal sex or gender identity, has no SRY gene and therefore
has or previously had ovaries or streak ovaries."
The WTA said the policy distinguishes between biological sex and gender
identity, and that there is "no intent to disrespect or question the gender
identity or the dignity of any person."
The mandatory gender screening --- already conducted by the governing bodies of
track and field, skiing and boxing --- has been criticized by human rights
experts and activist groups.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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