<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Transgender women will be banned from competing in British Cycling\u2019s competitive women\u2019s events in changes that will see the men\u2019s category become an open one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new policy change ends the hopes of transgender cyclist Emily Bridges of competing in women\u2019s competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is 14 months since the 22-year-old was barred from competing in her first women\u2019s event in Derby \u2013 when she was due to face five-time Olympic champion Dame Laura Kenny \u2013 after cycling\u2019s world governing body ruled she was not eligible to race because she was still registered as a male cyclist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today\u2019s policy announcement, which is set to take effect by the end of the year, only covers British Cycling events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), cycling\u2019s world governing body, is yet to announce a new transgender eligibility position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
British Cycling apologised for the \u201cuncertainty and upset that many have felt\u201d since their transgender and non-binary participation policy was suspended in April 2022 to carry out research and consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked if the new policy is discriminatory, British Cycling chief Jon Dutton told Sky News: \u201cWe have taken a view that this is absolutely about being inclusive for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve created a new open category that anyone has the ability to ride in and also a non-competitive policy that is absolutely inclusive and accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will not tolerate any form of discrimination in moving forward with this policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd it\u2019s really important that we support, we empathise, we are compassionate to the riders that are affected by this policy change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
British Cycling said the female category will be for those riders whose sex was assigned female at birth and transgender men who are yet to begin hormone therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bridges, who set a national junior men\u2019s record over 25 miles in 2018, came out as a transgender woman in October 2020 and began hormone therapy last year to reduce her testosterone levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She posted a statement on Instagram following the British Cycling announcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She hit out at the organisation for the ban, saying it doesn\u2019t care \u201cabout making sport more diverse\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing British Cycling directly, she added: \u201cCycling is still one of the whitest, straightest sports out there, and you couldn\u2019t care less.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added: \u201cI agree that there needs to be a nuanced policy discussion and continue to conduct research, but this hasn\u2019t happened. Research isn\u2019t being viewed critically, or any discussion about the relevance of the data to specific sports.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Dutton said: \u201cEmily, and a number of athletes are clearly affected by this policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut what we wanted to provide at this point in time is clarity on the direction of travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe decision that we\u2019ve made on behalf of British Cycling is for the whole of the cycling community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
British Cycling is emulating British Triathlon, which announced plans last year for an \u201copen category\u201d for men, transgender women and non-binary athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
International athletics and swimming governing bodies have banned athletes who underwent male puberty from competing in international women\u2019s events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Dutton said: \u201cIt is very difficult. It\u2019s divisive. It\u2019s emotive. It\u2019s affecting human beings. And we absolutely fully understand and appreciate that. So it has been a difficult process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cycling\u2019s global governing body is reviewing its rules after negativity provoked by Austin Killips, who is a transgender woman, winning the Tour of the Gila stage race in a women\u2019s race in New Mexico last month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: Sky Sports <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Transgender women will be banned from competing in British Cycling\u2019s competitive women\u2019s events in changes…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":10593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10592","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home","category-live-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n