Cycling Officials To Review Trans Athlete Rule After Biological Man Wins US Women’s Race
Alexa Schwerha on May 4, 2023
The governing body that oversees cycling competitions will review its transgender athlete policy after public uproar regarding a transgender athlete winning in the female division at a US race, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) announced on Thursday that it would review the rules that permit athletes to compete as their gender identity and come to a decision in August, according to AP. The announcement comes after transgender cyclist Austin Killips took first place in the women’s division at the Tour of the Gila on Sunday, but makes no reference to the controversy.
“The UCI’s objective remains the same: to take into consideration, in the context of the evolution of our society, the desire of transgender athletes to practice cycling,” UCI said, according to AP. “The UCI also hears the voices of female athletes and their concerns about an equal playing field for competitors, and will take into account all elements, including the evolution of scientific knowledge.”
UCI requires transgender athletes that are biological males to record testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for a minimum of 24 months and provide a written statement declaring a female gender identity, according to its rules. Athletes are not required to complete any medical assessments or treatments.
$35,000 – I’m sick.
The first year women and men have equal prize money in cycling and men took all of it – in both categories.@Martina @Hogshead3Au @mara_yamauchi @ithompsonfdn @megynkelly @Riley_Gaines_ https://t.co/IcWFHF9By6— Kim Shasby Jones (@KimJonesICONS) May 1, 2023
Killips’ victory in the New Mexico competition caused a stir among activists who advocate for barring biological men from women’s sports. Kim Shasby Jones, Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) co-founder, wrote on Twitter she was “sick” that Killips won prize money from the women’s division.
Hannah Arensman, a former professional cyclist, quit the sport after she was beat by Killips at the 2022 National Championships Cyclocross, the Washington Times reported. She told the Times that it was “very disheartening to finish this way” and that “if the rules are not changed to make women’s sports for women, there’s not going to be women’s sports for the next generation.”
UCI and ICONS did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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