Sports Competitors: Women

(asked on 11th November 2025) - View Source

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with UK governing bodies of sport about a one-time genetic test for the sex-determining region Y gene for all British athletes wishing to compete in the female category at international events; whether they have discussed with those governing bodies about when that test will be introduced for all Olympic and Paralympic athletes; and if so, when that test will be introduced.


Answered by
Baroness Twycross Portrait
Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This question was answered on 25th November 2025

We have always been clear that when it comes to women's sport, biology matters. We will continue to support sports to develop policies that protect fairness and safety, particularly when it is not possible to balance those factors with inclusion.

It is for each sport's National Governing Body to set their own policies for who can participate in domestic competitions, and it is for International Federations to determine the rules for their sports at the international level of competition.

This Government remains committed to working with UK Sport, the British Olympic Association, and the British Paralympic Association to ensure that UK athletes can compete under clear, fair, and legally robust international regulations.

Since a universal, one-time genetic test for all athletes in the female category across all Olympic and Paralympic sports is not yet set out or mandated, no estimate of the total cost has been made by the Government.

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