World Athletics sets 40% rule for female membership on national boards

National track and field federation executive boards must be at least 40% female by 2029, World Athletics has said.

The sport’s global governing body published further details of its three-year gender leadership strategy on Tuesday, having achieved gender parity on its ruling council in 2023.

World Athletics also wants at least 40% of Level 1-qualified coaches to be women by 2029, with an interim goal of reaching 35% by 2027.

It has also targeted at least 40% of team coaches being female at the 2030 Under-20 Championships, and for an equal gender balance among international technical officials (ITOs) at the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and the track and field programme at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.

World Athletics president Lord Sebastian Coe said: “I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made to date to increase female representation in athletics – highlighted by our 50/50 gender balanced council.

“This strategy reflects our continued commitment toward ensuring women are not only present but prominent in leadership and decision-making roles across our sport.

“We know challenges remain in getting more female coaches, referees and administrators into athletics but we are committed to equality and opportunity to drive lasting change across the athletics community worldwide.”

Last month World Athletics approved the introduction of a cheek swab test to determine if an athlete is biologically female, with Coe insisting it was part of a “dogged” determination to protect the female category.

The PA news agency understands World Athletics’ intention is to introduce the testing in time for this year’s World Championships in Tokyo.