A big step. But more work to be done for equal athletic competition.
Hi Friend,
Today we are celebrating a huge victory! The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) just announced an update to their rules and guidelines barring trans-identifying male athletes from competing in the women’s cycling division.Â
Together with Independent Women’s Forum, I’ve been fighting for the integrity of women’s cycling and women’s equal athletic opportunity in the sport that has been a large part of my life.Â
As a 10x US National Champion, 3x Olympian, 3x medalist World Championships, and 2x podium finisher in the Women’s Tour de France, and someone who used to compete against males when there was no women’s cycling category, I know firsthand the physical differences between women and men. No amount of testosterone suppression mitigates the advantages of being born male.Â
Thankfully, because of Title IX, women’s sports were created for women. Women fought for years to have sex separated sports. And without single-sex competition, there can be no equality on the course. And that’s why IWF and I have been protesting the UCI and USA Cycling guidelines. This has been my hardest battle yet.
A few weeks ago IWF and Inga Thompson Foundation organized protests, and a rally and press conference at the USA Cycling National Championships in Knoxville, TN to demand that UCI and USA Cycling change its policies to protect female athletes and keep women's cycling female!Â
This victory is due to the support of those that joined us on the ground, signed their name to the petition, applied pressure on social media, and supported our work financially to make things right and protect female athletes.
Women deserve access to fair competition, equal opportunities, training, and victory. And that's what UCI delivered today.Â
We are celebrating this victory, but we also need to remember that this is a battle won in an ongoing fight for women. We still need supporters like you, Friend, to continue to take action and help us continue the momentum.Â
