On Friday, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body of cycling, introduced a new policy prohibiting transgender women who have experienced male puberty from competing in the female category of competitive events. Simultaneously, they decided to rename the men’s category as men/open. Athletes who do not meet the requirements for participation in the female category will now have the option to take part in men/open events without any restrictions.
Haley Smith
There were a variety of reactions from those in the cycling community. Olympian Haley Smith said she didn’t agree with the decision.
“I know this is a complicated topic for many, yes, professional racing complicates this for sure, but I keep returning to what I believe to be the purpose of sport: to offer opportunities for enjoyment, self-betterment, personal challenge, camaraderie for all. Maybe you believe that trans women racing against those assigned female at birth is unfair or wrong,” she posted on Instagram. “But I truly believe that a ban is much more wrong. I don’t have an answer, but I know in my gut that this isn’t the right decision. I’m off to go race my bike in a UCI race right now because this is what I do. But it certainly feels a bit heavier tonight.”
Alison Sydor
Alison Sydor, former world champion and Olympian, welcomed the new policy. The British Columbian has been outspoken on the matter for some time now on Twitter, and said that she is pleased with the UCI news.
“I’d argue that allowing any M a F 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.”
Sydor also tweeted that she did not consider the new policy to be a “change.” “Is change truly the right word here? For what we are witnessing, in essence, is a correction,” she posted. “The UCI and IOC deserve all the criticism levelled. There will be no apologies or admissions they were wrong, correction took 20 years left so many impacted.”
“But is change truly the right word here? For what we are witnessing, in essence, is a correction” @UCI_cycling & IOC deserve all the criticism levelled. There will be no apologies or admissions they were wrong, correction took 20+y & left so many impacted https://t.co/YCegaxuwmw
— Alison Sydor 😈👻🐸 (@AlisonSydor) July 17,…
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