British Cycling To Ban Transgender Women From Competing In Women's Category

British Cycling To Ban Transgender Women From Competing In Women's Category

British Cycling will ban transgender women from competing in female events under a new policy that was published on Friday. The policy aims to 'safeguard the fairness of competition, following a nine-month review.

According to reports from cycling news, the governing body will split racing into open and female categories. Transgender women, transgender men, non-binary individuals and those whose sex was assigned male at birth will be eligible to compete in the open category. 

This is coming after a heated debate around participation in high-profile women's cycling events, which sparked controversy when British athlete Emily Bridges was excluded from competing at this National Omnium Championships in April 2022.

At the time, British Cycling offered little clarification over eligibility criteria, which were determined then by a specified upper limit for testosterone levels for a required 12-month period.

A statement issued by British Cycling said, "Transgender women, transgender men, non-binary individuals and those whose sex was assigned male at birth will be eligible to compete in the 'Open' category,

"The 'Female' category will remain in place for those whose sex was assigned female at birth. 

“Transgender men who are yet to begin hormone therapy will be eligible to compete in the 'Open' category only and should ensure that they continue to adhere to the requirements of UK Anti-Doping.

“Those whose sex was assigned female at birth are also able to compete in the 'Open' category if they so wish."

The move from British Cycling follows similar decisions from governing bodies of swimming, athletics and triathlon in the United Kingdom.