The trans woman cyclist Emily Bridges has been banned from participating in the women’s British National Omnium Championship on Saturday after cycling’s governing body, the UCI, ruled she was ineligible.
Emily Bridges, 21, will not race in the National Omnium Championships in Derby on Saturday against five-time Olympic winner Dame Laura Kenny. The controversial cyclist was ruled ineligible by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the sport’s worldwide regulatory body.
Bridges, who was on the Great Britain Academy program as a male rider named Zach Bridges and rode in men’s events as recently as last month, has faced backlash for his selection.
Last year, the trans woman began hormone therapy and was previously declared able to participate as a woman under British Cycling’s policy when her testosterone level was reduced to the prescribed limit.
Bridges’ ‘disappointment’ with the UCI’s decision that she couldn’t compete under current rules was acknowledged by British Cycling today.
It said: ‘We acknowledge the decision of the UCI with regards to Emily’s participation, however, we fully recognize her disappointment with today’s decision.
‘Transgender and non-binary inclusion is bigger than one race and one athlete – it is a challenge for all elite sports.
‘We believe all participants within our sport deserve more clarity and understanding around participation in elite competitions and we will continue to work with the UCI on both Emily’s case and the wider situation with regards to this issue.
‘We also understand that in elite sports the concept of fairness is essential.
‘For this reason, British Cycling is calling for a coalition to share, learn and understand more about how we can achieve fairness in a way that maintains the dignity and respect of all athletes.
‘Within recent years, we’ve seen huge advancements in the science and testing around elite sports, the broader scientific and understanding of human biology, developments in the protection provided by the law, and crucially greater respect for the psychological and societal challenges of those who are transgender and non-binary.
‘This is a complex area and by uniting, we can share resources and insights.
‘We know that some of these conversations are happening in pockets of the sporting world, but we want to encourage all sporting governing bodies, athletes, the transgender, and non-binary athlete community, the Government, and beyond to come together and find a better answer.
‘Across sports, far more needs to be done, collectively, before any long-term conclusions can be drawn.’
The previous decision by British Cycling to allow Bridges to ride in women’s events has been heavily criticized.
However, a comprehensive review of the science, conducted by the five British sports councils (SCEG) last September, said that it was possible to draw conclusions based on the latest research.
The SCEG said the science showed there were “retained differences in strength, stamina, and physique between the average woman compared with the average transgender woman or non-binary person registered male at birth”.
It also told sports that there was no easy way to strike a balance between safety, fairness, and trans inclusiveness as a result and that they would have to choose which to prioritize.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
