World Athletics announces salivary test to determine the gender of athletes

(AFP) The president of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, announced Tuesday that the international federation has approved the use of a salivary test to determine whether an athlete is biologically female and thus be able to compete in women's events.

The leader stressed that "it is important to do this" to "ensure the integrity of women's sport" at a press conference following the weekend's World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China.

"We think it's very important to give confidence and keep the focus on the integrity of the competition," insisted Coe, who last week was one of the candidates defeated by Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry in the elections for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Coe specified that this measure has been taken after consultations carried out by the federation he presides. "The general opinion is that it is the way forward" and he stressed that the swab test is not overly intrusive and that he was sure it is legal.

"We would never have opted for it, if not to protect the female category in the sport," the British middle-distance legend insisted.