The UCI, the world cycling governing body, announced on Friday that female transgender athletes who transitioned after male puberty will no longer be allowed to compete in women’s races. This move comes as part of the UCI’s efforts to address the issue of fairness in women’s events for transgender athletes, joining other top-tier Olympic sports such as track and field and swimming.
The decision was prompted by American cyclist Austin Killips, who became the first openly transgender woman to win an official cycling event in May. However, despite adhering to the UCI’s requirements of maintaining serum testosterone levels of 2.5 nanomoles per liter or less for at least 24 months, Killips’ victory faced backlash from some fans and former racers.
The UCI stated that the ban on female transgender athletes who transitioned after puberty will be effective from Monday onwards, in order to ensure equal opportunities in women’s events on the UCI international calendar across all categories and disciplines.
The UCI also acknowledged that the current scientific knowledge does not confirm that two years of hormone therapy is sufficient to eliminate the advantages gained during male puberty. Biomechanical factors, such as bone structure, may continue to provide lasting advantages for female transgender athletes.
Despite the ban, the UCI emphasized that cycling remains open to transgender individuals, encouraging their participation in the sport. Male athletes who do not meet the conditions for women’s events will be admitted without restriction, and the men’s category will be renamed “Men/Open” at international Masters events.
The British Cycling federation had previously approved a similar transgender policy in May, implementing separate categories for “open” and “female” races. The female category is reserved for individuals assigned female at birth and transgender men who have not yet undergone hormone therapy.
It should be noted that this decision by the UCI poses a significant barrier for transgender athletes hoping to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, as it closes another competitive pathway for their participation.
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