The transgender cyclist Emily Bridges was declared “not eligible” to participate this weekend in the women’s event of the British national championship in the omnium event.
Bridges had initially been allowed to enter, under British Cycling’s transgender and non-binary rider participation policy..
This organization declared in a statement having been informed “by the International Cycling Union (UCI) that (…) Emily is not eligible to participate in the event“.
The test takes place on Saturday in Derby, with the presence especially of the five-time Olympic champion Laura Kenny.
According to information from the British newspaper The Guardian, Emily Bridgeswhat started hormone therapy last yearshould expect to expiration of your record ICU as a runner mmale before being able to compete in the female category.
The regulation of British Cyclingupdated January 2022, requires proof of low testosterone for twelve months before the competition.
The president of the Athletics Federation gave his opinion on Bridges and the Lia Thomas case
Sebastian Coe, president of the Athletics Federation, gave his point of view on the emily bridges exclusion and expressed his fear of seeing women’s sport weakened by the participation of transgender competitors.
Coe also commented on the participation of Lia Thomasa transgender swimmer, at the American collegiate championships in Atlanta, where she won the 500-yard freestyle with more than a second and a half over second: “We must trust science as much as possible“, he slipped.
In case of Lia Thomaswhich in the past competed in men’s events, has generated division in public opinion in United States. His detractors believe that he has an unfair physiological advantage.
