“We know that there are simple, efficient, dignified ways of testing sex,” says Reem Alsalem, the UN’s special rapporteur on violence against women and girls.
Olympic chiefs should reintroduce gender testing for female athletes to protect them from injuries amid concerns about eligibility, a United Nations adviser told Sky News.
The intervention from Reem Alsalem, the UN’s special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, comes as the Paris Games is embroiled in a debate about dangers from testosterone advantage in women’s events.
Ms Alsalem has expressed concern that Italian boxer Angela Carini was exposed to violence based on her sex during a women’s bout against Imane Khelif, who it has been claimed failed a gender eligibility test.
The issue is set to feature in a report now being prepared by Ms Alsalem to deliver to the UN General Assembly in October that will have a focus on violence faced by women in sport.
“It’s really important to make sure that the physical safety of any player is upheld,” Ms Alsalem said in an interview.
“We know that there are simple, efficient, dignified ways of testing sex… that are not invasive, that are cheap and that are reliable.
“So I think that will be one of the first things really to come back on is, why is that such a problem?
“If it can particularly resolve an issue and if it can allay fears, and concerns which are very valid.