Transgender cyclist Emily Bridges has accused British Cycling of “promoting genocide” after the organization said it would ban transgender women from women’s competition.
Mrs. BridgesThe 22-year-old slammed the national body as a “failed organization” that had committed a “violent act” when it considered withdrawing from cycling in a scathing statement on Instagram.
“Does it surprise me that the same organization that is directly funded by a state that ships vulnerable refugees to Rwanda is cracking down on any political opposition they don’t approve of or starving its own people?” he said.
Emily Bridges-Beck: PA/ITV News
“The same organization that houses active, homophobic coaches who have encouraged eating disorders and have done nothing about any bullying among their occupants.
“You don’t care about making the sport more diverse, you want to make yourself look better and you even fail at it. Cycling is still one of the whitest, straightest sports, and you couldn’t care less.
“Banning from sports is how you start, look what’s happening in America. It starts with banning sports, then youth and public health care and then banning from public life by banning the bathroom.”
“Just look at the situation, and who’s on your side. When literal Nazis, conspiracy theorists and those who want to wipe out our power are on your side, surely that should give you pause?”
Bridges also said she had to “think of a plan to get off this horrible island and see to what point it was enough”.
British Cycling announced on Friday that Transgender women will not be allowed to compete In the competitive women’s competition, while the men’s category will become an open category.
It said the female category would be for passengers who were gender-identified as female at birth and transgender men who had not yet started hormone therapy.
The new policy covers British cycling events only and will come into force by the end of the year.
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It ends Mrs. Bridges’ hopes of competing for Great Britain or Wales in the women’s races.
Bridges, who set a junior national record over 25 miles in 2018, came out as a transgender woman in October 2020 and began hormone therapy last year to lower her testosterone levels.
Bridges was barred from competing in her first women’s Derby event – when she was due to face five-time Olympic champion Dame Laura Kenny – after cycling’s world governing body. She decided she was not eligible to race Because she was still registered as a cyclist.
Elite women riders battle with pouring rain and wind during the 2022 British National Road Championship road race, starting at Castle Douglas
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), cycling’s global governing body, has yet to announce a new eligibility position for transgender people.
British Cycling has apologized for the “uncertainty and discomfort many have felt” since their participation policy was transgender and non-binary. Suspended April 2022 To conduct research and consulting.
British Triathlon announced plans last year for an “open class” for transgender men and women and non-binary athletes.
International athletics and swimming bodies have banned male athletes from competing in international women’s events.