Maria Jose Martinez-Patino believes World Athletics' new genetic testing for women at elite level is "a setback of several decades". The Spanish former hurdler, now a professor at Vigo University, was reacting to the introduction of a mandatory one-time genetic test for athletes competing in the female category at elite level to determine eligibility.

"It takes me back to the 1950s and 1960s, when women practically had to go through a series of controls, had to undress in front of a panel of doctors," she told DW. "I get the impression that we haven’t advanced from a scientific point of view. We’ve made practically no progress if it's now categorically said that women with X and Y chromosomes are not women."

In July 2025, World Athletics introduced the test, which checks for the presence of the Y chromosome, but, as of September 1, ahead of the world championships in Tokyo from September 13, it is required. The test can be conducted by a cheek swab or a blood test.

World Athletics argues that the SRY gene —  present in people with a Y chromosome, usually men — "is a reliable indicator for determining biological sex." Martinez-Patino believes though, that determining someone's sex is not as simple as that.

Trans issue not the point for DSD athletes

"It’s not black or white. There are more than 60 genetic mutations which I think are not all that complicated to study. Something that I’ve always said is that it should be done case by case," she said, before adding that athletes like her, classified as having DSD (differences in sexual development), should not be thrown in to the debate over trans athletes who wish to compete under a different sex to that in to to which they were born.

"The trans issue has nothing to do with the DSD issue, they are different topics that should be addressed in different ways," Martinez-Patino emphasized.

Sex testing in women's sport is not new, and dates back as far as 1936. Despite this, there are questions about how the International Olympic Committee (IOC) responds to these new regulations. Some believe they are at odds with the IOC's inclusion framework.

Martinez-Patino's personal experience with gender verification dramatically impacted sporting policy on the matter. In 1983, she passed a gender test but two years later failed the test, which revealed an XY karyotype. She missed out on the chance to qualify for the 1988 Olympics as a result of her dismissal from the Spanish team two years earlier. 

The XY karyotype is associated with male development because the Y chromosome carries a gene called SRY (sex-determining region y). Some people with an XY karyotype become female, which was the case for Martinez-Patino. The Spaniard had developed Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS), where the body cannot respond to male hormones.

Martinez-Patino pays the price of sex testing

After failing the test, Martinez-Patino chose to fight back but it cost her. After the Spanish press disclosed her medical details, Martinez-Patino endured public exposure and emotional trauma. But she eventually won a court case in which she argued her condition meant the presence of the XY chromosomes did not equate to a male physiological advantage.

She was reinstated later in 1988 but then missed out on qualifying for the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 by 0.10 seconds. Since the end of her career, she has been working in academia as a professor and has specialized in gender policies.

"I have to tell you that the saddest moments of my life have truly been very hard. So now it’s my turn to fight for the new generations," she said. "No one has the power to say ‘you are a woman’ or ‘you are a man’ — only science and only genetics can do that."

Some women competing are also a bit baffled at World Athletics insistence on protecting them in this regard. Some feel exploitation, sexual assault by coaches and equal pay are far more pressing concerns. Germany's long-jumper Malaika Mihambo told SID that she was "very critical" of the regulations.

Money being spent on the wrong things

"Huge resources are being allocated for such a small problem, while the really pressing issues — doping, abuse and violence in sport — remain. If we are talking about integrity, then we have to take action with the same determination in those areas," the 31-year-old said.

Martinez-Patino agrees, pointing to the case of Caster Semenya, a two-time Olympic gold medal winner who has undergone numerous battles regarding her eligibility.

"Behind the medals, the glory of a world championship an Olympic Games — does anyone think that there’s also a lot of suffering, a lot of disappointment, and a lot of sorrow? Or should we only see the beautiful part of the spectacle?

"No, we need to think that elite sports have light and dark sides, brilliant parts and parts that aren’t so great. And we can’t speak so lightly about the condition of a woman who isn’t to blame for being born with the chromosomes or genetics that nature gave her. That’s tremendously unfair."

For now, World Athletics does not see it as unfair. And other bodies, including the IOC, must make their own decision under the new stewardship of former swimmer Kirsty Coventry. Boxer Imane Khelif, of Algeria, endured similar experiences to those of Semenya and Martinez-Patino at the 2024 Olympics, which was overseen by Coventry's predecessor Thomas Bach, and Martinez-Patino hopes that polticial ideologies will not stand in the way of science in this regard.

"She is a woman, has been an athlete, has been a mother, and I believe she will have enough sensitivity to understand that a genetic issue must be studied through science, medicine, and scientific knowledge," she said." There’s no other option. I don’t want to think that political currents could get involved in medical or sports matters, even if it might seem that we're heading that way."

Additional reporting by Hecko Flores. Edited by Matt Pearson.