An international cycling sports organization has said that it will impose a ban on male-born transwomen competing in all women’s sports events categories.
In an updated policy statement, the Union Cycliste International (UCI) announced on Friday that athletes who “transitioned after puberty” cannot compete with other women due to physiological advantages.
“The meeting of the UCI Management Committee was held following a seminar on the conditions for the participation of transgender athletes in women’s cycling events, organized by the UCI on 21 June, at which the various stakeholders — transgender and cisgender athletes, experts from the scientific, legal and human rights fields, and sporting institutions — were able to present their respective positions,” wrote the UCI.
“From now on, female transgender athletes who have transitioned after (male) puberty will be prohibited from participating in women’s events on the UCI International Calendar — in all categories — in the various disciplines.”
On social media, Canadian Olympian and former world champion Alison Sydor welcomed the change but blasted the ICU for allowing transwomen to compete in the sport for so long.
“I’d argue that allowing any (male to female person a) race licence from the start was a drastic move,” she tweeted.
“The UCI having ignored the issues female athletes have presented regarding fairness for over 20 years finally being rectified should have pleased anyone with knowledge about sport.”
The UCI was prompted to establish a committee to review its policy on the inclusion of transwomen after widespread public backlash to male-born cyclist Austin Killips’ victory at the Tour of the Gila women’s competition.
In its review, the UCI cited the fact that modern science and technology cannot guarantee that hormone replacement therapy would eliminate the physical advantages of being born a man.
“In this context, the UCI Management Committee concluded, considering the remaining scientific uncertainties, that it was necessary to take this measure to protect the female class and ensure equal opportunities,” the statement said.
According to UCI President David Lappartient, the organization has a responsibility to guarantee equal opportunity for women competitors.
“It is this imperative that led the UCI to conclude that, given the current state of scientific knowledge does not guarantee such equality of opportunity between transgender female athletes and cisgender female participants, it was not possible, as a precautionary measure, to authorize the former to race in the female categories,” said Lappartient.
