Rating: Transneutral, Teton Gravity Research, July 24, 2023 (PDF archive) (HTML archive)
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UCI Bans Transgender Women from Competing in Women’s Events | Teton Gravity Research
In a ban that went into effect July 17, 2023, the UCI recently adapted its rules on the participation of transgender athletes in international competitions.
A press release posted on the UCI website states that “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.”
Any athlete that doesn’t meet these qualifications may compete in the Men’s category, according to the new rule.
In an interview with Bicycling, Chris Mosier, the first transgender athlete to compete in the Olympic Trials and founder of TransAthlete, offered a counter-perspective:
Forcing people into an ‘open’ category is alienating and singles out trans women for even greater harassment and stigma. In places that are hostile towards transgender people—like half the United States and many countries globally—separating trans women from other women places a target on their backs and creates a dangerous situation. Open categories—and forcing any athlete into a category that doesn’t match who they are—is not a good solution to achieve equity or fairness in sport, period.
Closing out the UCI’s post was a statement from the president of the UCI, David Lappartient:
First of all, the UCI would like to reaffirm that cycling – as a competitive sport, leisure activity or means of transport – is open to everyone, including transgender people, whom we encourage like everyone else to take part in our sport. I would also like to reaffirm that the UCI fully respects and supports the right of individuals to choose the sex that corresponds to their gender identity, whatever sex they were assigned at birth. However, it has a duty to guarantee, above all, equal opportunities for all competitors in cycling competitions. 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 authorise the former to race in the female categories.
The ban will have a significant impact on the careers and well-being of cyclists of all gender identities.
TGR is steadfast in its support of inclusivity in cycling and beyond. Our hope is that the sport will continue to progress with these notions of respect and inclusivity in mind.
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