The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is applying the brakes on the contentious policy that permitted biological males who transition to females after puberty, to compete in women’s cycling events.
Stemming from an extraordinary meeting on July 5, this directive is set to ensure a level playing field in women’s cycling, by eliminating the undue advantages a post-puberty male-to-female transition could confer on transgender athletes.
In their announcement, the UCI acknowledged the role of testosterone during male puberty, stating, “The state of scientific knowledge… does not confirm that at least two years of gender-affirming hormone therapy… is sufficient to completely eliminate the benefits of testosterone during puberty in men.”
Moreover, the organization noted the potential advantages from “biomechanical factors such as the shape and arrangement of the bones in their limbs.” This implies that the benefits accruing from male puberty extend beyond the hormone-induced changes, creating a potential unfair advantage for post-puberty transgender women athletes.
In the face of these scientific uncertainties, the UCI felt compelled to enact this policy to protect the interests of cisgender women athletes. They declared that it was “necessary to take this measure to protect the female class and ensure equal opportunities.”
Stopping Biological Males in Their Tracks
This significant change in policy could be seen as a victory for athletes like Paige Onweller, who was outperformed by a margin of nearly 5 minutes in a North Carolina cycling race by biologically male cyclist Austin Kilips.
Onweller’s call for a separate category for transgender athletes in order to preserve the integrity of women’s sports is reflected in UCI’s new ruling, signaling a shift in the sporting world’s approach to transgender participation.
Set to roll out from July 17, 2023, the UCI is open to modifying the rules as science evolves. They’re planning to finance studies to gain a better understanding of how transitional hormone treatment impacts athletic performance.
UCI President David Lappartient expressed the organization’s commitment to inclusion, but also to fairness. He stated, “the UCI would like to reaffirm that cycling… is open to everyone, including transgender people. However, it has a duty to guarantee, above all, equal opportunities for all competitors in cycling competitions.”
The UCI’s decision signifies an essential reevaluation of the intersection of gender, biology, and sports. This step towards safeguarding the competitive integrity of women’s sports could pave the way for more sports organizations to follow suit.
