Cyclist Emily Bridges started undergoing hormone treatment last year (Image: Internet Clone/Instagram)
Transgender cyclist Emily Bridges has been declared “ineligible” to take part this weekend (April 2 and 3) in the women's Omnium race at the British National Championships.
Bridges was initially allowed to register, under British Cycling's transgender and non-binary riders' participation policy.
But this organization later stated, in a statement, that it had been informed “by the International Cycling Union (UCI) that (…) Emily is not eligible to participate in the event.”
The race will be held on Saturday in Derby, with the special presence of five-time Olympic champion Laura Kenny.
According to information received from the British newspaper “The Guardian”, Emily Bridges must wait until the end of her registration with the International Cycling Union as a runner before she can compete in the female category. The athlete began undergoing hormone therapy last year.
British Cycling's regulations, which were updated in January 2022, require proof of a low testosterone level for 12 months before competing.
The initial decision to allow Bridges to compete this weekend sparked significant controversy. Other athletes threatened to boycott the race.
Former British Olympic swimmer Sharon Davies said: “It was unfair to ask Laura Kenny and the other runners who were going to take on Bridgers to run with an opponent who had the advantages of a biological man.” On Thursday (31st) this to The Times, claiming that “no drop in testosterone can alleviate this”.
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