Veronica Ivy, a Canadian cyclist who became the first transgender woman to win a track cycling world championship, took issue with the sport’s governing body’s updated policy on the participation of transgender athletes in women’s events.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) published its new policy on Friday, banning any trans cyclist from competing in female events if they «transitioned after (male) puberty.»
Ivy took out her frustrations on her Instagram account.
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Veronica Ivy, Associate Professor of Philosophy and List Professor of Women and Gender Studies at the College of Charleston, at Hampton Park, on March 14, 2021, in Charleston, South Carolina. (Gavin McIntyre for USA Today via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
«However, I am now forced into the humiliating ‘Male/Open’ category,» Ivy wrote. “No cis women will be in this category, only trans women and CIS men. That means it’s not ‘open’.
«UCI has said loud and clear that trans women are not real women and should be treated like others, and cis women should be ‘protected’ from us innocent trans women.»
Ivy called the UCI policy «nonsense».
“It is an indignity. Its inhuman. It’s disgusting.
«I will not be deterred by this hateful targeted transphobic policy.»
Ivy won the 2019 UCI Masters Track Cycling World Championships in the spring women’s 35-44 age group. Ivy has vehemently advocated for the participation of transgender women in women’s events.
Veronica Ivy is a two-time F35-39 Masters World Champion and former record holder. (Gavin McIntyre for USA Today via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
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The UCI decision followed a meeting on July 5, when the governing body determined that the current «state of scientific knowledge» cannot guarantee that any physical advantage will be removed after undergoing hormone therapy treatments.
The rule change, which goes into effect Monday, will now enter those who do not meet the guidelines for the women’s category into the men’s category, which will now be renamed «Men/Open.»
Last year, the UCI changed its rules to stipulate that athletes must have serum testosterone levels of 2.5 nanomoles per liter or less for at least 24 months before they are allowed to compete in women’s events. That was an increase from previous rules, which required levels below 5 nanomoles for 12 months before the race.
A view of the UCI World Cycling Center logo on May 14, 2022 in Aigle, Switzerland. (RvS.Media/Basile Barbey/Getty Images)
In May, the organization defended its policy after trans cyclist Austin Killips became the first transgender woman to win a UCI stage race in the fifth stage of the Tour of the Gila.
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After considerable backlash, the UCI said it would review its policy, which ultimately led to Friday’s announcement.
Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.