'I've been demonized' says trans cyclist banned from women's competition

4 hours ago

Emily Bridges competes in the UK — Illustrative image,

Cyclist Emily Bridges competed in the UK in 2018, when he was still known as Zach Bridges.

Transgender cyclist Emily Bridges has claimed she was ‘harassed and demonized’ after learning she could not compete in the UK’s Omnim Women’s National Championships.

Bridges is 21 and says he provided the medical evidence that she was able to participate in her first women’s event, the Omnium Method – a track cycling competition, made up of several combined events. But she says she still has “a little clarity” about her “alleged incompetence”.

“No one should choose between being themselves and playing their cardio,” she said in a tweet on Twitter.

Bridges claims that it spent six months in contact with the British Cycling Union and the International Cycling Union (UCI – the sport’s international governing body) about the eligibility criteria it had to meet to participate in the competition, which was held in Derby. , in England. On the first weekend of April.

The British Cycling Union’s transgender rules, which were updated in January 2022, require cyclists to have a testosterone level of less than 5 nmol per liter for 12 months prior to competition. Bridges says she has provided the UCI and the UCI with evidence that she met this standard, “not least because my testosterone level has been well below the limit set by regulations for the past 12 months.”

But the UCI told the British Federation that because national championships are used to award points towards international rankings, Bridges can only be allowed to participate if he has been confirmed eligible for international competitions – and this process is still ongoing. As a result, the British Federation said at the end of March that the UCI had informed it that “based on its current guidance, Bridges is not authorized to participate” in the event.

According to Bridges, “Despite the public announcement, I’m still not entirely clear about my disqualification conclusion. I’m an athlete and just want to get back into competition. I hope they reconsider their decision under the rules.”

“I have been constantly harassed and demonized by people who want to promote specific agendas. They attack anything that is not the norm, without concern for the welfare of marginalized individuals or groups,” she adds.

Bridges claims her privacy has also been “completely violated” and received “targeted abuse” on social media, “despite the fact that I haven’t raced in the women’s class yet.”

Transgender swimmer Leah Thomas of the University of Pennsylvania poses on the podium after winning the 500-yard freestyle, while medalists Emma Wyant, Erica Sullivan and Brock Fordy pose for a photo at the NCAA Division I women's swimming and diving championships on March 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.

credit, Getty Images

Illustrative image,

Recently, the participation of transgender swimmer Leah Thomas in a competition in the United States sparked controversy in that country.

Bridges started hormone therapy in 2021 as part of her treatment for gender dysphoria. She continued to compete in the men’s races, but was provisionally entered into the women’s starting roster for the UK National Omnium Championships.

According to the British Journal of Cycling Specialist Weekly, Bridges is participating in a study at Loughborough University in England to track his potency data as testosterone levels drop – and claims that this data shows a 13-16% drop in his results. Six seconds, one minute, five minutes, and 20 minutes later.

Bridges also says she received mixed reactions when she spoke publicly about her transformation, but several female cyclists have sent messages of support.

Even when the International Cycling Union ruled Bridges ineligible, British sprinter Ellie Baker stated on Twitter: “I refuse to compete and hope other women will take the same stance on this issue. It’s totally unfair. Transgender women are privileged for having crossed puberty as boys until they are men no It can never be undone.”

Liz Ward, director of programs for the activist group Stonewall, said Bridges “was not given a fair chance to compete in the April 2, 2022 race.”

“It is unfortunate that the British Cycling Union’s competition standards have been rejected by the UCI, which were fully met by Bridges. The federation has already consulted extensively on the transgender inclusion policy, which is fully in line with the Committee’s guidelines. Olympic International. Our thoughts She’s with Emily,” Ward concludes.