Transgender women banned from racing in female cycling events in crackdown on rules
British Cycling has banned transgender athletes from competing in women's races
PA
Transgender women will be banned from female cycling events under new rules published today.
British Cycling will prevent riders who were born male from racing in elite female events under its new transgender and non-binary participation policy.
The Governing body suspended its previous policy last April amid controversy after transgender woman Emily Bridges hoped to race at the national omnium championships as a female rider.
Following the review, the female category will remain for those whose sex was assigned female at birth, and transgender men who are yet to begin hormone therapy.
British Cycling will prevent riders who were born male from racing in elite female events under its new transgender policy
PA
While the current men’s category will be consolidated into the open category, where those whose sex was assigned as female at birth can also compete if they wish.
British Cycling's new chief executive Jon Dutton said: “It’s an incredibly emotive and at times divisive subject area.
"We have taken many months to look at three areas: firstly a consultation with the athletes affected and the wider cycling community; secondly looking at the medical research available at this point in time; and thirdly from the legal viewpoint in terms of the association with the Equalities Act.
"We’ve made a decision on the balance of all three to give clarity, to give direction and that clear way forward for any athletes affected."
The nine-month review included a consultation process with riders and stakeholders, along with members of the Great Britain team, as well as a study of available medical research led by British Cycling’s chief medical officer Dr Nigel Jones.
According to cycling chiefs, the research was said to show a clear performance advantage for individuals who go through puberty as a male, and one which cannot be fully mitigated by testosterone suppression.
Its previous transgender policy allowed riders to compete in the female category if they had testosterone levels below five nanomoles per litre for a 12-month period prior to competition.
The governing body says it will continue to study new research as it becomes available with the policy being regularly reviewed.
The governing body says it will continue to study new research as it becomes available with the policy being regularly reviewed
PA
British Cycling has attempted to contact affected athletes prior to publication of the new policy, with Dutton saying support would be offered to those whose route to competing at an elite level may now be closed.
“We accept that and understand that, and that’s why we need to continue to support those affected,” he added.
“I am sorry it has taken so long to get to this point and for the upset and anxiety some people have had to go through but I accept this is a difficult moment for a number of people directly affected.”