US distance runner Nikki Hiltz has voiced strong opposition to World Athletics’ controversial proposal for gene testing in female athletes, branding the move a “slippery slope” that could have far-reaching implications for privacy and fairness in sports.

Hiltz, a prominent transgender and non-binary athlete, articulated their concerns following a victory at the US trials, emphasizing that such testing opens a dangerous precedent for invasive scrutiny into athletes’ biological makeup.

World Athletics, the global governing body for track and field, has defended its planned SRY gene test, asserting that the method, typically involving a cheek swab or blood sample, is “extremely accurate” with minimal chances of false results.

The proposed test specifically targets the SRY gene, a component of the Y chromosome responsible for developing male characteristics. A negative result for the Y chromosome would deem an athlete eligible for the female category in world-ranking competitions.

Conversely, a positive test for the SRY gene would restrict an athlete to non-world ranking female competitions or alternative categories, a policy that raises significant questions about inclusion and equitable participation for all athletes.

This initiative arises amidst ongoing discussions within athletics regarding eligibility criteria for women’s events, particularly concerning transgender athletes and individuals with Differences of Sex Development (DSD) who may possess perceived biological advantages.

Current World Athletics regulations already prohibit transgender women who have undergone male puberty from competing in women’s events and mandate DSD athletes with naturally high testosterone levels to medically lower them to qualify, highlighting the complex and evolving landscape of sports eligibility and athlete rights.