A transgender person born male, Emily Bridges was barred from competing in the women’s British National Omnium Championship on Saturday after cycling’s governing body, the UCI, ruled she was ineligible.
Bridges set a national junior men’s record over 25 miles in 2018 and had hoped to compete against several British Olympians, including Dame Laura Kenny, in her first race in the women’s category.
However the UCI ruled the 21-year-old, who began hormone therapy last year to reduce her testosterone levels, was currently not compliant with its regulations as she is still registered as a male cyclist.
According to the Guardian, female cyclists taking part in this weekend’s event were discussing boycotting the event because they view Bridges has an unfair advantage as he is born male.
Their concerns have been borne out. A comprehensive review of the science, conducted by the five British sports councils (SCEG) last September said the science showed there were “retained differences in strength, stamina and physique between the average woman compared with the average transgender woman or non-binary person registered male at birth”.
The SCEG also told sports that as a result there was no easy way to balance safety, fairness and trans inclusivity.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.