World Athletics is set to introduce a swab test for elite athletes who wish to compete in the women’s category at international events.

The “pre-clearance requirement” is one of several changes that will further tighten regulations concerning the eligibility of transgender and difference of sex development (DSD) athletes.

In March 2023 World Athletics banned transgender athletes who had gone through male puberty from competing in the female category in international competition.

However, following recommendations from the World Athletics council, external the governing body is now set to revise its eligibility regulations for male-to-female trans athletes on the basis of fresh evidence it said shows there was a “significant performance gap before the onset of puberty”.

The current rules for DSD athletes, meanwhile, require them to reduce their testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for at least six months to compete in any female category event internationally.

World Athletics has now proposed the rules for both DSD and transgender athletes should be the same because new evidence has “clarified that testosterone suppression in 46XY DSD, external and 46XY transgender individuals can only ever partly mitigate the overall male advantage”.

A World Athletics council meeting next month is expected to determine when the new regulations could be implemented.

World Athletics president Lord Coe made “protecting” eligibility of the women’s category a key component of his bid to be elected International Olympic Committee president.

Coe said on Monday the proposed new rules “keep up with the latest information available” to maintain “a fair and level playing field in the female category”.

“Preserving the integrity of competition in the female category is a fundamental principle of the sport of athletics and we look forward to this collaborative consultation process with our key stakeholders in this area,” he added.

World Athletics said the cheek swab test would look for the SRY gene, which is “almost always on the male Y chromosome” and “is used as a highly accurate proxy for biological sex”.

A dry spot blood test could also be used to determine an athlete’s testosterone levels, in addition to the presence of the SRY gene.

There have been calls for mandatory sex testing at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 via swab checks, but there has been disagreement among scientists as to their effectiveness.

Professor Alun Williams, who researches genetic factors related to sport performance at the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, told BBC Sport last year that a cheek swab alone would “not allow you to reach a robust conclusion on someone’s sex and potential advantage in sport”.

The proposals developed by a World Athletics working group on gender diverse athletes will now go through a consultation period from 10 February until 5 March.

However, the views of athletes will only be heard during this time and alternative policy proposals to the one outlined are not being sought.

At 35 years old, Andre Ayew continues to defy the odds.

With over 17 years in professional football, the Ghana international is still going strong in France’s Ligue 1 at the tail end of a career that has taken in eight other clubs.

So, what drives this longevity?

While the forward, currently at Le Havre, can point to excellent genes (father Abedi Pele played for two decades), his journey has also been a mix of discipline, experience and passion for the sport.

“It makes you feel good,” Ayew told BBC Sport Africa.

“There’s a lot of sacrifices made to continue staying at the top level for all this while.”

Those sacrifices have ranged from rigorous training to lifestyle changes, including dietary adjustments.

Ayew acknowledged the challenges, especially as age demands even greater effort.

“As you’re growing older, you need to train more. It’s even harder to stop yourself from eating certain foods,” he said.

“We Africans, especially, like to eat good food. But at some point, you have to make a lot of sacrifices.”

All roads lead to France

Ayew’s story has gone full circle, having begun his footballing career in France.

He joined Marseille as a budding talent, entering the youth academy for the 2006-07 season.

Ayew, known as ‘Dede’, broke into the first team the following season, marking the start of a near decade-long spell with the senior squad.

He made 209 appearances, scoring 60 goals and recording 25 assists while also winning two French league cups and the French super cup three times.

It was here where Ayew had the chance to play alongside his brother, Jordan, who was with Marseille from 2009 to 2014.

After departing in 2015, Andre Ayew played for Swansea City, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest, Turkish giants Fenerbahce and Qatari side Al Sadd, and is now in back in France with Le Havre.

His ability to adapt physically and mentally has kept him competitive in a league where younger players tend to dominate.

Ligue 1’s tagline – ‘League of Talents’ – is seen by some as a corporate attempt to lean into the conveyor belt of youthful talent coming out of the French top flight.

Ayew was, himself, a fruit of this tree, making his debut for Marseille at just 17.

His vast experience is now one of his greatest strengths.

“How long do you want to stay in the game? That’s the question you need to answer for yourself,” he explained.

“Good players around you help, and as time goes on, you get smarter. You find spaces where, maybe in the past, you wouldn’t because you can smell it.”

Handling criticism and inspiring the next generation

Of course, navigating the landscape of modern football means dealing with more than just on-field challenges.

The rise of technology has given fans a proximity to the sport’s principal actors that simply did not exist before, exposing footballers to the double-edged sword of instant feedback.

For Ayew, earning his footballing chops in step with the rise of social media has perhaps equipped him the best approach to dealing with the never-ending cycle.

“It’s all about you, focusing on your job and what you have to do,” he said.

“Everything has a good and bad side so, sometimes, try to understand where the criticism comes from – it can help you. We play football for the people, especially in our country and continent where we love the game so much.

“But, today, if somebody is frustrated they can just write anything (online). That’s where we need to be strong and not pay attention to that sort of thing.

“You want to make the people happy, (but) when it’s just nonsense talk, push it away.

“With my experience, I just feel that you need to stay focused, listen to what the coaches and the analysts and the staff have to tell you. That’s where the real information comes from.”

Ayew’s impact extends beyond his on-field exploits.

As a mentor, he urges young African footballers to be disciplined and carry that attitude all the way through their careers.

“It’s never too early, and it’s never too late. Just keep going, and you can always be successful,” he advises.

Black Stars in the family

Ayew has been at the heart of the Ghana team for well over a decade and, as the son of a three-time African Footballer of the Year and European Cup winner, he had much to live up to.

While the biggest trophies have eluded him in his international career, Dede has nevertheless enjoyed highs with the Black Stars.

There have been the many deep runs at the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the 2010 World Cup when Ghana came within a crossbar’s width of a place in the semi-finals.

He first played for the Black Stars in August 2007, coming off the bench in the final minute in a friendly against Senegal in London.

Some seven months later, he was starting for the four-time African champions in a Nations Cup semi-final and has been a steady feature since.

He has graced the Nations Cup finals eight times, a joint record, helping the West Africans finish second in 2010 and 2015.

Ayew has played in three Fifa World Cups and his tally of 120 caps is a record for the country.

His future with Ghana may currently be mired in uncertainty – as he has not officially announced his retirement – but Ayew’s footballing career continues.

“I love what I’m doing, and I’m not ready to stop.”