Transgender cyclist Emily Bridges has been ruled out of competing in the National Championships this weekend after cycling governing body UCI stepped into the row over her participation.
Bridges had been set to compete in the omnium event against the likes of five-time Olympic champion Laura Kenny. But British Cycling said in a statement that Bridges would no longer be lining up in the event.
“We have now been informed by the UCI that, under their current guidelines, Emily is not eligible to participate in this event.”
Bridges had previously competed as a male athlete, most recently at the British Universities Championships last month in which she won the points race.
She has been undergoing hormone therapy since last year and had previously been deemed eligible to compete because of her lower levels of testosterone.
But under UCI rules, she is still registered as a male cyclist and cannot compete in women’s events until that registration expires.
British Cycling also called for a coalition within other sports to address the participation of transgender and non-binary athletes at the elite level.
It said: “Transgender and non-binary inclusion is bigger than one race and one athlete. It is a challenge for all elite sports.
“We believe all participants within our sport deserve more clarity and understanding around participation in elite competitions and we will continue to work with the UCI on both Emily’s case and the wider situation with regards to this issue.”
