Emily Bridges previously called UK cycling ruling genocide
Emily Bridges, a transwoman cyclist, says she will switch to British cycling in court on the decision to ban transgender women from competing in the women's category.
21-year-old Bridges, who previously called the decision «genocide», added that British cycling should be focused on increasing diversity, not «increasing variety.» waging war» with trans athletes.
Bridges, who set a national junior record in the 25 miles in 2018, began hormone therapy in 2021 to lower her testosterone levels and was poised to compete against Olympic stars like Laura Kenny at last year's British National Omnium Championship ahead of International Cycling . The union ruled that she was ineligible to compete.
The cycling governing body ruled that Bridges did not follow its rules because she was still registered as a male cyclist.
When British Cycling announced in May this year that male-born riders were banned from racing against women in British competition, it effectively ended Bridges' chance of competing in the Paris Olympics next year. Bridges will now have to race in the «open» category alongside male riders.
Bridges launched a sharp attack on the governing body at the time, accusing it of a «violent attack» and describing it as a «violent attack» . failed organization.”
Writing in British Vogue this week, Bridges said she would be «challenging British Cycling's decision in the courts and on the streets», citing again a Canadian study that showed she had no physical advantage over biological women.
' British cycling should improve accessibility, not wage war on trans-competitors
“Late last year, a report from the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport found that biomedical factors such as bone density and lung size do not pose a significant threat. advantage for trans athletes, but social factors such as nutrition and training quality may play a role,” Bridges wrote in Vogue magazine.
“I have dedicated myself to contributing to the research currently being done at Loughborough University to shed more light on this issue. And yet, the International Swimming Federation, International Rugby League and British Triathlon have also announced a policy to ban trans athletes from June 2022. Most recently, the International Chess Federation announced that transgender women are «not eligible» to compete in women's chess competitions.
Bridges argued that the end effect of such policies was an increase in transphobia, which she said was widespread. She added that British Cycling should «focus its efforts on improving accessibility and a concerted diversification effort» rather than «waging war» on trans-competitors.
«The sport is inherently unfair,» she wrote. «There are other obstacles: cycling is still an elite sport where diversity, especially at the competitive level, is dull.»
«I'm giving up cycling… I have to»
Bridges criticized the UK cycling team, saying there were only three non-white cyclists on the team out of the 55 listed on the British Cycling website. Bridges concluded she was more than ever happy with her decision to move, despite the «death threats and hateful messages I receive on a regular basis.»
But she said her relationship with riding cycling is now «difficult» and that she needs to give up the sport for the sake of her own mental health.
«I'm retiring from the sport — I have to,» Bridges wrote. “While I have learned not to tie all my self-worth to cycling, I will still challenge British Cycling's decision in the courts and on the streets. I will continue to march with my trans siblings and use my voice to challenge the injustices in the world.»
Bridges appears in Vogue 25, which selects Britain's most powerful women in 2023. , but her inclusion sparked outrage among campaigners.
Fiona McAnena, Fair Play for Women's sports director, told Telegraph Sport: We have a lot of great female athletes and Vogue would rather showcase a male cyclist who hasn't competed at the highest level. Emily Bridges isn't yet a successful international cyclist, so it's hard to see why Bridges is here.
“Katharina Johnson-Thompson is world champion in the heptathlon – she's world champion in a really tough event. She should be there, not Bridges.”
British Cycling declined to comment on the matter when approached by Telegraph Sport.
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