The British Cycling Federation (British Cycling) announced this Friday that it would ban the participation of transgender women in women’s competitions.
The new rules, which will come into force later this year, provide that cycling competitions will be divided into two categories: “open” and “women”.
According to British Cycling, transgender women, transgender men, non-binary individuals and men designated at birth will be able to participate in the “open” category.
In contrast, the “female” category can enroll only individuals “assigned the sex of female at birth” as well as transgender men who have not yet started hormone therapy.
As such, the current “male” category will be integrated into a future “open” category in which individuals assigned the gender of female at birth can also compete, the British federation said today in a report after nine Month counseling process.
British Cycling suspended its previous competitive policy in April 2022 following the controversy created by transgender woman Emily Bridges, who asked to take part in the national championships in the women’s category and was refused.
The federation’s CEO, John Dutton – in office for a month – today apologized for the delay in making a final decision.
The aforementioned consultation process involved a large number of athletes and organizations and included analysis of a scientific inquiry led by British Cycling’s chief physician, Nigel Jones.
Among other findings, the study indicated that those who undergo puberty as males have a “clear performance advantage” that does not completely disappear with the process of testosterone suppression.
The federation’s previous policy on the matter allowed transgender athletes to compete in the women’s section if their testosterone levels were below five nanomoles per liter of blood in the 12 months prior to competition.
Dutton today acknowledged the issue is “incredibly emotive” and “sometimes divisive”, and assured the federation will continue to review its policies “regularly” through monitoring “new investigations”.
“We have spent several months looking at three areas: first, consulting with affected athletes and the wider cycling community; second, examining the medical research available to date; and third, from a legal perspective in relation to the Equality Act.” Explained to the manager.
Dutton insisted that British Cycling has made a decision that addresses all three of these areas to provide “clarity” and a “way forward for any affected athletes”.
