Page 13 | Breaking news - Emily won't compete

Ereshkigalangcleg · 31/03/2022 08:26

It's the international governing body (Union Cycliste Internationale) that has a policy that you can't compete as a woman if you are a man.

What a sensible policy. It will never catch on!

Ereshkigalangcleg · 31/03/2022 08:25

A male teammate could give up his spot no problem, right?

I really think someone should, to show their commitment to trans rights.

Polyanthus2 · 31/03/2022 08:01

I imagine she failed the 5nmols testosterone for a year rule.
No one seems to be saying why the change of mind in letting her compete

Plasmodesmata · 31/03/2022 07:43

Are Emily's qualifications good enough for a spot on the male team? If so then Emily could still compete this weekend. A male teammate could give up his spot no problem, right?

sashh · 31/03/2022 06:40

@MrsOvertonsWindow

It will be fascinating to see the actual reasons that forbid Emily from competing as a man one week and then as a woman the next?

No doubt a cue for much wailing about transphobes stopping Emily competing as a man one week and a woman the next.

It's the international governing body (Union Cycliste Internationale) that has a policy that you can't compete as a woman if you are a man.

CaveMum · 31/03/2022 06:40

I do hate it when these governing bodies say - “there needs to more research”. The science is out there and it’s very clear! What more do they need?!

Also if they’re proposing yet more research that will take time to conduct and analyse. I’d be concerned that they will say “well we’ll carry on with our current rules until the research shows us otherwise.”

SallyLockheart · 31/03/2022 06:29

I’m hoping that this a “Laura Kenny” moment. Laura is just 5’4”, seems like “the girl next door” but has cleared worked bloody hard and with utter commitment to achieve the success she has, including now competing as a mother and making a comeback after pregnancy and all that entails. Something that Emily will never have to or be able to do. If Emily - a 21 (?) year old fairly successful male cyclist - had been allowed to compete against Laura and others from our Olympic team, it would have made an utter mockery of everything Laura Kenny has worked and trained so hard for.

The last paragraph of the Guardian article quoted a sports body so at least there is now recognition that fair play for women cannot exist with total inclusion for trans people but effectively TW.

It also told sports that as a result there was no easy way to balance safety, fairness and trans inclusivity – and that they would have to prioritise which to favour.

AgathaMystery · 31/03/2022 00:28

@OvaHere

BC have folk over a barrel though. It’s not even about the race licence for most members. It’s the insurance you get. No one else comes close to it. Anyone serious about their bike/cycling needs it and has it.

Yes it's a problem. I'd like DH to cancel his and he probably would if it wasn't a condition of the cycling club he's in.

I'd leave the club rather than pay a penny to BC but he's not quite as irate and invested as me.

Same situation in my house except my husband is IRATE about this and so are all the cyclists we know - but they have to be insured. It’s infuriating for everyone.

Whatiswrongwithmyknee · 30/03/2022 23:56

But he added the governing body "fully recognises the rights of transgender athletes to do sport".

Me too. And Emily is not being excluded? Emily can compete with the other males.

AnyFucker · 30/03/2022 23:47

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FemaleAndLearning · 30/03/2022 23:45

@ColourMagic

ZaraSizeMedium:

"Nope, that still leave a loophole.

It's quite simple, males shouldn't compete in female sports categories"

Yes. Exactly that.

Totally agree.

OvaHere · 30/03/2022 23:16

BC have folk over a barrel though. It’s not even about the race licence for most members. It’s the insurance you get. No one else comes close to it. Anyone serious about their bike/cycling needs it and has it.

Yes it's a problem. I'd like DH to cancel his and he probably would if it wasn't a condition of the cycling club he's in.

I'd leave the club rather than pay a penny to BC but he's not quite as irate and invested as me.

ronjobbins · 30/03/2022 23:13

Sense at last

FrancescaContini · 30/03/2022 22:54

Good. Needs to be competing against people of the same sex.

Mytholmroyd · 30/03/2022 22:52

I think the wonderful Tonia Antoniazzi may have precipitated this

God she is brilliant - I have a big crush!

AgathaMystery · 30/03/2022 22:44

@SallyLockheart

Agatha. That’s an appalling attempt to silence women in the sport.

Yep. Every member got the email. It was very, very clear.

BC have folk over a barrel though. It’s not even about the race licence for most members. It’s the insurance you get. No one else comes close to it. Anyone serious about their bike/cycling needs it and has it.

TinyRebel · 30/03/2022 22:42

I think the wonderful Tonia Antoniazzi may have precipitated this
twitter.com/LabWomenDec/status/1509125454724276232?t=wspwhCl1RZW7meOAUYfIvg&s=19

EmbarrassingHadrosaurus · 30/03/2022 22:38

BC have been very vocal on this. Even emailing us minion members telling us not to have non inclusive thoughts or they will boot us out.

JulesJules · 30/03/2022 22:35

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SallyLockheart · 30/03/2022 22:26

Agatha. That’s an appalling attempt to silence women in the sport.

SallyLockheart · 30/03/2022 22:25

BC sound very wishy washy and “do we have to “ but the Guardian article makes it clear there are not masses of UK female cyclists declaring support for Emily and in fact suggests some have threatened to boycott the event.
Lia Thomas highlighted to “the man/woman in the street” the injustice of inclusion of TW in female sport, and Emily Bridges has emphasised the stupidity of a man being able to flip flop from one category to another.
I’m hopeful that sport could reach a turning point on this issue. I’ve also written to my local hospital and my local MP (Tory) about the issue of single sex wards and the reported rape by a TW of a female patient as it is a very pertinent question to be raised which endangers all women, and therefore is a relatable issue for a wider audience.

AgathaMystery · 30/03/2022 21:07

@ScribblingPixie

It's very heartening that there was the stirrings of a boycott from female cyclists.

Was there?!

BC have been very vocal on this. Even emailing us minion members telling us not to have non inclusive thoughts or they will boot us out.

sacredfeminina · 30/03/2022 20:55

The good thing about this new wave of sportswomen speaking up is that they are bound to start to realise the other issues/inconsistencies within this 'trans debate' ..
Sports is like the gateway to realise the issues around women and children's safeguarding, safe spaces, shortlists, rights, prisons... Etc etc. It's like everytime a celebrity person joins in they will join the whole fight. So its great... Waves and waves of new people now uncovering what is going on. Alongside (hopefully) some pro-trans people starting to see the flaws themselves....

Flatbrokefornow · 30/03/2022 20:53

@titchy

Good. Ban needs to be on any competitor who has undergone male puberty though.

I think you are right. It’s deeply unfair on genuine trans athletes, of course, but growing up with a male hormone profile is confers a deeply unfair advantage over women who grew up with a female hormone profile. Elite sport is so competitive, that there absolutely will be men who transition fraudulently and there is no way to differentiate. So what else can be done?!

Theeyeballsinthefuckingsky · 30/03/2022 20:49

Sean ingle is most definitely on the terfy side of the street