Transgender Cyclists Excluded from Women’s Events by Global Governing Body

World Governing Body Bans Transgender Cyclists from Women’s Events

Exciting news in the world of cycling! The International Cycling Union (UCI) has made a groundbreaking decision that will ensure fair competition in women’s races. Starting Monday, most male cyclists claiming to be women will no longer be able to participate in women’s events on the UCI International Calendar.

This move by the UCI follows in the footsteps of other top-tier Olympic sports governing bodies, such as track and field and swimming, who have also addressed the issue of transgender athletes and fairness in women’s events.

The UCI’s decision came after transgender-identifying American rider Austin Killips became the first man to win an official women’s cycling event this year. Killips rode to victory in the fifth stage of the Tour of the Gila, a prestigious U.S. stage race, which sparked a negative reaction from many cycling fans, former athletes, and advocates for women’s sports.

What a joke. https://t.co/VBZzvjNL62

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) June 11, 2023

The UCI’s ban aims to ensure equal opportunities for all athletes. It applies to female transgender athletes who have transitioned after male puberty and will be implemented across all categories and disciplines.

The UCI stated that the ban is necessary because the current scientific knowledge does not confirm that two years of gender-affirming hormone therapy is sufficient to eliminate the advantages gained during male puberty. Additionally, the UCI highlighted the difficulty in drawing precise conclusions about the effects of transgender hormone therapy.

Despite the ban, the UCI wants to emphasize that cycling remains open to everyone, including transgender individuals. The men’s category will be renamed “men/open” at international Masters events, and any athlete who does not meet the conditions for participation in women’s events will be admitted without restriction.

This decision by the UCI aligns with British Cycling’s similar transgender policy, which was approved in May. Both organizations aim to provide fair competition and equal opportunities for all competitors in cycling competitions.

With this new ruling, the UCI has closed another competitive route to the 2024 Paris Olympics for men claiming to be women. It’s an exciting step forward for the sport and a victory for fairness and equality.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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