Transgender Biological Male Kicked From Women’s Cycling Championship After Females Threaten Boycott

Emily Bridges, a biological male who currently identifies as a female, was barred from racing in a woman’s cycling championship race this upcoming weekend.

Bridges, who previously competed against men under the name Zach Bridges, is unable to compete in the tournament after female competitors threatened a boycott.

Bridges began hormone therapy last year, according to the BBC, and this would be his first race against women.

The cycling governing body, the UCI, determined Bridges “ineligible” to compete in the women’s British National Omnium Championship on Saturday.

As The Guardian reported, “Bridges – who set a national junior men’s record over 25 miles in 2018 – had been due to compete against several British Olympians, including Dame Laura Kenny, in her first race in the women’s category. However, the UCI ruled that the 21-year-old, who began hormone therapy last year to reduce her testosterone levels, was currently not compliant with its regulations as she is still registered as a male cyclist – and therefore cannot compete as a woman until her male UCI ID expires.”

The UCI is allowed to bar athletes if they fail t meet “eligibility criteria” to ensure the UCI protects “health and safety” while guaranteeing “fair and meaningful competition that displays and rewards the fundamental values and meaning of the sport.”

Stay tuned to The Scoop for any updates.