Cycling world governing body tightens rules around female transgender competitors

Cycling's world governing body has tightened regulations around female transgender athletes, banning them entirely from participating in women's events.

Under the existing UCI regulations, transgender women can compete in the female category providing they have a maximum permitted plasma testosterone level of 2.5 nanomoles per litre.

But they will now be banned entirely if they transitioned after male puberty.

British transgender cyclist Emily Bridges, who spoke out strongly against a similar policy by British Cycling, responded to the UCI’s announcement by saying the governing body was "regressing from any commitment to diversity or progress."

In a lengthy statement on social media, Ms Bridges said: "I accepted a few weeks back that I had to completely separate my self-worth from cycling and move on if I was to ever actually become a functioning individual and doing this has helped to lessen the blow of this.

"I haven’t given up though. I will not allow myself to give up on the other athletes I fight for."

In May, the UCI defended that policy as being "based on the latest scientific knowledge" following controversy after American Austin Killips won the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico to become the first transgender woman to win a UCI women’s stage race.

But the governing body announced on Friday that its management committee had voted to change the rules after further consultation with stakeholders and a review of scientific, legal and human rights considerations.

A statement said that the review had concluded that the maximum permitted testosterone level previously used was not “sufficient to completely eliminate the benefits of testosterone during puberty in men”.

The statement added: “Given the current state of scientific knowledge, it is also impossible to rule out the possibility that biomechanical factors such as the shape and arrangement of the bones in their limbs may constitute a lasting advantage for female transgender athletes.”

UCI president David Lappartient said: “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.”

In May, British Cycling introduced its own new policy which bars transgender athletes from competing as women.

The policy created an ‘open’ category in which transgender women, transgender men, non-binary individuals and those whose sex was assigned male at birth are eligible to compete, with the ‘female’ category reserved for those assigned female at birth and transgender men yet to begin hormone therapy.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To know...