World Athletics plans to introduce biological pre-clearance tests for track and field athletes before they can compete in the female category, the sport’s governing body announced Tuesday.

The head of track's governing body on Tuesday announced a policy change designed to "doggedly protect the female category": all female athletes participating in World Athletics track and field events will have to undergo DNA sex testing.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe says the track and field’s governing body has approved the introduction of cheek swabs and dry blood-spot tests for female athletes in order to maintain “the integrity of competition.