Tension and Reconciliation Between Fair Competition and Gender InclusionOn the Historical Evolution, Contemporary Challenges, and Future Trends of Sex Testing in International Sports Events

Sex testing in international sports events has undergone four distinct stages: informal control, mandatory testing, conditional suspension, and covert testing.The methods of testing have envolved significantly, transitioning from basic physical examinations to chromosomal testing, and more recently, to advanced testosterone level analysis. This process not only reflects the changing societal understanding of gender but also reveals the tension and self-regulation of sports rules when facing ethical, technological, legal, and socio-cultural challenges. The core principles of sex testing in sports competitions aim to ensure fair competition while safeguarding the rights and dignity of every athlete. Moreover, this process represents a critical endeavour by international sports organisations to advance gender equality and inclusion. Looking ahead, organisation such as the IOC are expected to transcend traditional athletic paradigms, positioning sports as a crucial platform for fostering social equality and advancing human rights. Within this framework, sex testing will seek to balance inclusivity and fairness, integrating legal and human rights considerations, emphasizing democratic processes in individual case analysis and standard-setting, fostering international collaboration and standardization, and enhancing gender education and knowledge dissemination.