Cycling bosses are set to hold emergency talks with other major sporting bodies in a concerted effort to impose wider rules on transgender athletes competing in women’s events in the wake of the Emily Bridges controversy.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body of cycling, blocked Bridges from racing against Olympic legend Laura Kenny in the National Omnium Championships. The body stepped in despite British Cycling announcing that Bridges was free to compete as she has lowered her testosterone to the required level in order to be eligible.
The 21-year-old’s case is currently being reviewed by an expert panel who ultimately have six weeks to determine whether she can compete in women’s races. It is expected that Bridges will have to be cleared to ride competitively unless the UCI change their regulations regarding transgender athletes, although British Cycling are reportedly already considering selecting her in future national teams.
