Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the UK, does not believe that women should compete in female sporting events.
The case of Emily Bridges, a female cyclist who was born male, has focused on the balance of inclusion, sporting fairness and safety in women's sport.
Bridges was not allowed to compete in her first elite women's race by the world governing body.
Johnson was speaking on a range of issues, including the government's approach to the ban on so-called conversion therapy, before adding: "I don't think biological males should be competing in female sporting events." It seems to me that it is sensible to say that.
I think that women should have dedicated spaces in hospitals, prisons, and changing rooms which are dedicated to them. That is as far as I have come with my thinking on this issue.
We have to work it all out if that puts me in conflict with others. It doesn't mean I'm not sympathetic to people who want to change gender, to transition, and it's vital we give them the maximum love and support in making those decisions.
These are complex issues and they can not be solved with a single piece of legislation. It takes a lot of thought to get it right.
Bridges was going to face some of the sport's biggest names at the National Omnium Championships in Derby last weekend.
In October 2020 she came out as trans and began hormone therapy as part of her gender dysphoria treatment.
The British Cycling regulations require riders to have testosterone levels below five nanomoles per liter for a year prior to competition.
She could not participate in international races because the UCI hadn't completed its own process around her eligibility.
She was second to last in the Welsh National Championship road race, a 12 km lap behind the winner, after finishing 43rd out of 45 riders in the elite men's criterium.
Bridges won the men's points race at the British Universities Championships in Glasgow last month.
British Cycling acknowledged her disappointment and called for a coalition of governing bodies, athletes, the trans and non-binary athlete community and the government to work together.
In elite sports, the concept of fairness is essential.
It is a challenge for all elite sports to include trans and non-binary athletes.
More information follows.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
