World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said Tuesday that 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.

World Athletics plans to begin genetic testing of all female track and field athletes in a move that could significantly alter gender eligibility rules in Olympic sports.

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.