Mandatory gender testing has been a debated issue in athletics. Now, the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) has decided to implement a similar approach.

During a Council meeting in Zurich, FIS approved a new science-based eligibility policy for men’s and women’s competitions. The conditions are grounded on the presence or absence of the SRY gene, the sex-determining gene found on the Y chromosome. Essentially, only SRY-negative competitors may participate in women’s competitions.

“This policy is the cornerstone of our commitment to protect women’s sport, and we are convinced that there is only one fair and transparent way to do that: by relying on science and biological facts,” said FIS President Johan Eliasch in a statement.

With the policy approved, FIS will now work with National Ski Associations and other stakeholders to prepare an implementation plan.

Proposals slammed

Earlier this summer, FIS presented other potential changes in cross-country skiing, including handicap rules in sprint events similar to those used in golf. The ideas drew intense criticism from SVT expert Anders Blomquist.

“You have to respect that development work is difficult, and sometimes you go quite wrong when thinking broadly. But when it comes to the proposals I’m seeing now, I think the thinking is very, very wrong,” he told SVT Sport at the time, adding:

“I think: ‘Wow, there’s not much love for skiing here.’”

Also Read: FIS explores new race formats – Not everyone’s convinced

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