The governing body of cycling, UCI, made a significant decision on Friday, announcing the ban on transgender women who have undergone male puberty from participating in the female category of competitive events. Effective July 17, the new rules aim to ensure fair competition while simultaneously renaming the men’s category as Men/Open. The UCI Management Committee convened an extraordinary meeting on July 5, where the decision was reached to adapt the current UCI rules regarding transgender athletes.
This decision prohibits female transgender athletes who have transitioned after male puberty from competing in women’s events on the UCI International Calendar across all categories and disciplines. Previously, the UCI allowed transgender women with reduced testosterone levels to participate in female events. However, the recent success of American transgender rider Austin Killips, who emerged as the first transgender rider to win a UCI women’s stage race, prompted the UCI to reopen discussions on transgender women competing in elite female events.
To further study the impact of hormonal treatments on highly-trained athletes, the UCI plans to collaborate with other sporting bodies on a jointly-funded research program. The objective is to examine the physical performance changes resulting from transitional hormone treatments. UCI President David Lappartient emphasized that cycling is open to everyone, including transgender individuals, and encouraged their participation in the sport. However, the UCI’s primary responsibility lies in ensuring equal opportunities for all competitors, which, according to current scientific knowledge, cannot be guaranteed between transgender female athletes and cisgender female participants.
This move follows the decision by British Cycling in May to ban transgender women from competing in the female category of competitive cycling events. As the UCI takes steps to address concerns related to transgender participation in cycling, the future of inclusive policies in the sport remains a topic of ongoing debate.
By implementing these new regulations, the UCI aims to strike a balance between providing opportunities for transgender athletes while upholding fair competition in the realm of competitive cycling. The decision highlights the evolving landscape of sports and the challenges faced in creating inclusive environments that ensure a level playing field for all participants.
