UCI announces stricter regulations for transgender cyclists in competition
The international cycling body changes toughens eligibility rules after review
In March 2020, the UCI published rules governing the participation of transgender athletes in events on the UCI International Calendar in the category corresponding to their new gender identity. Although these rules are stricter and more restrictive than those published by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2015, the UCI announced they have decided to adjust those once more, citing new scientific studies n 2020 and 2021.
In a statement on Thursday, the UCI posted that “the principle of eligibility of transgender athletes (in particular female athletes, i.e. those who have made a transition from male to female) is based on the reversibility under low blood testosterone (the level commonly observed in “born female” athletes) of the physiological abilities that determine sports performance, and on the time needed to achieve this reversibility.”
UCI may reassess rules for transgender and non-binary participation in cycling
In the press release, the UCI wrote that “the latest scientific publications clearly demonstrate that the return of markers of endurance capacity to ‘female level’ occurs within six to eight months under low blood testosterone, while the awaited adaptations in muscle mass and muscle strength/power take much longer.” (Two years minimum according to a recent study).
Given the important role played by muscle strength and power in cycling performance, the UCI stated that it has decided to increase the transition period on low testosterone from twelve to 24 months. In addition, the UCI has decided to lower the maximum permitted plasma testosterone level (currently 5 nmol/L) to 2.5 nmol/L. This value corresponds to the maximum testosterone level found in 99.99% of the female population.
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According to the UCI, this adjustment of the eligibility rules is based on the state of scientific knowledge published to date in this area and is intended to promote the integration of transgender athletes into competitive sport, while maintaining fairness, equal opportunities and the safety of competitions. The new rules will come into force on July 1. The cycling body also said they may change in the future as scientific knowledge evolves.
The UCI also plans to have discussions with other international federations about the possibility of supporting a research programme whose objective would be to study the evolution of the physical performance of highly trained athletes under transitional hormone treatment.
