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Transgender women unable to compete in British Cycling events as policy suspended

Transgender women unable to compete in British Cycling events as policy suspended

Cyclists ride at sunrise in London, Britain, January 4, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

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April 8 (Reuters) – British Cycling suspended its Transgender and Non-binary Participation Policy with immediate effect on Friday, denying transgender women the chance to compete in domestic women’s races until the policy was reviewed.

British Cycling said it had taken the decision to suspend the policy due to differences between its own policy and that of the world governing body (UCI).

The move comes after transgender cyclist Emily Bridges was told by British Cycling that she was ineligible to compete in the women’s race at the National Omnium Championships.

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Bridges had been due to compete in her first women’s event in Derby but British Cycling said it had been informed by the UCI that she would not be eligible to participate under their current guidelines. read more

Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported that Bridges had been ruled not compliant by the UCI as she was still registered as a male cyclist and could not compete as a woman until her male UCI ID expires. Reuters has contacted the UCI for confirmation.

“It is currently possible for trans-female athletes to gain eligibility to race domestically while their cases remain pending with the UCI (or indeed in situations where they are deemed ineligible),” British Cycling said in a statement.

“(this allows riders to) accrue domestic ranking points which impact selection decisions for National Championship races, which is not only unprecedented … but is also unfair on all women riders and poses a challenge to the integrity of racing.

“As a result of this, on Wednesday the British Cycling Board of Directors voted in favour of an immediate suspension of the current policy, pending a full review, which will be initiated in the coming weeks.”

British Cycling added that it would include women and the transgender and non-binary communities in the review process.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said earlier this week that transgender women should not be competing in female sporting events. read more

“I don’t think biological males should be competing in female sporting events. Maybe that’s a controversial thing to say, but it just seems to me to be sensible,” Johnson said.

In November, the International Olympic Committee said no athlete should be excluded from competition on the grounds of a perceived unfair advantage due to their gender, but stopped short of issuing regulations that define eligibility criteria. read more

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Reporting by Aadi Nair and Rohith Nair in Bengaluru
Editing by Toby Davis

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Sports-Transgender women should not compete in female events – British PM

Sports-Transgender women should not compete in female events - British PM

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks in Downing Street in London, Britain, April 5, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

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LONDON, April 6 (Reuters) – Transgender women should not be competing in female sporting events, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told broadcasters on Wednesday.

Johnson was speaking as the country looked set to abandon plans to hold a flagship conference designed to promote LGBT+ rights around the world. read more

Charities and organisations are boycotting the event following a dispute over conversion therapy for transgender people.

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“I don’t think biological males should be competing in female sporting events. Maybe that’s a controversial thing to say, but it just seems to me to be sensible,” Johnson said.

“I also happen to think that women should have spaces — whether it’s in hospitals, prison or changing rooms — which are dedicated to women. That’s as far as my thinking has developed on this issue.

“If that puts me in conflict with some others, then we have got to work it all out. It doesn’t mean I’m not immensely sympathetic to people who want to change gender, to transition and it’s vital we give people the maximum love and support in making those decisions.”

Transgender rights has become a hot talking point as sports seek to balance inclusivity with ensuring there is no unfair advantage.

Transgender cyclist Emily Bridges was ruled out of Britain’s National Omnium Championships last weekend after the sport’s governing body, the UCI, ruled she was ineligible. read more

British Cycling had cleared Bridges to take part under their “Transgender and Non-Binary Participation policy”.

New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard became the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics Games in Tokyo last year.

University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas last month became the first transgender National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion in Division I history after winning the women’s 500-yard freestyle. read more

Thomas competed on Pennsylvania’s men’s team for three years before transitioning and setting multiple programme records with the women’s team, but her eligibility has come under considerable scrutiny.

The latest International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidance, updated in November last year, is that no athlete should be excluded from competition on the grounds of a perceived unfair advantage due to gender. read more

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Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Ed Osmond

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.