The governing body for cycling events is implementing new restrictions for transgender athletes.
On Friday, the UCI issued new rules that prevent transgender athletes who have undergone male puberty from participating in women’s competitive events.
It also renamed the men’s category to Men/Open.
The new rules go into effect on July 17.
According to Reuters, “Athletes who do not qualify for the female category will be able to enter Men/Open events without restriction.”
In a statement, the UCI said, “At an extraordinary meeting held on 5 July, the Management Committee of the UCI decided to adapt the current UCI rules on the right of female transgender athletes to take part in competitions on the UCI International Calendar.”
“From now on, female transgender athletes who have transitioned after (male) puberty will be prohibited from participating in women’s events on the UCI International Calendar – in all categories – in the various disciplines,” it added.
Additionally, the UCI announced it will meet with other governing bodies for sporting events to discuss a “research programme aimed at studying changes in the physical performance of highly-trained athletes undergoing transitional hormone treatment”.
A Gallup poll released on Wednesday found a majority of Americans, 69%, believe transgender athletes should compete on sports teams that match their biological sex, up from 62% in May 2021.
Meanwhile, 26% say they should be able to compete on the teams that match their identity, down from 34% two years ago.
So far, over 20 states have banned transgender athletes from competing on sports teams that do not match their biological sex.
The Gallup poll also found 55% of respondents said it is “morally wrong” to change one’s gender, up from 51% two years ago.
Meanwhile, those who say it is acceptable fell to 43% from 46%.
