British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that trans women athletes should not compete in women’s sports competitions.
The debate over trans athletes started when British trans woman cyclist Emily Bridges was denied permission from the International Cycling Union (UCI) to compete in the National Omnium Championships in Derby, England last week.
“I don’t think biological men should take part in women’s sports. Maybe it’s controversial, but that makes sense to me,” Johnson said.
Johnson continued:
“That doesn’t mean that I don’t have excessive sympathy for people who want to change gender, transition. It’s very important that we give people our maximum love and support them in their decisions.”
Stating that these are complex issues, Johnson said, “They cannot be solved with a quick, easy law. It takes a lot of thought to do this right.”
Expressing that women should be allocated their private spaces, whether in hospitals, prisons or changing rooms, Johnson said, “This is my opinion on this matter.”
Bridges, who was understood to have changed gender in October 2020, started hormone therapy in 2021. Due to her low testosterone levels, she was allowed to participate in women’s events by British Cycling, the cycling sport administration in Britain.
British Cycling’s regulations for trans female athletes require riders to have testosterone levels below five nanomoles per liter for a 12-month period prior to competing.
However, the UCI has not yet completed the process it carries out to qualify Bridge to participate in international competitions. This meant that the trans athlete could not participate in the Omnium Championship.
While in the process of gender reassignment and still participating in men’s races, Bridge finished 43rd in a 45-rider race at the Loughborough Cycling Festival in May 2021. In September 2021, he finished second to last 12 km behind the leader in the Welsh National Championship road race.
Last month, Bridges won the men’s points race at the final men’s race, the British Universities Championship in Glasgow.
Making a statement after UCI’s decision, British Cycling said that they are aware of Bridge’s sadness.
Expressing that authorities from different sports disciplines, athletes, trans and non-binary athlete communities should come together with the government, British Cycling said that the coalition to be formed should produce a better solution that “will protect the dignity and dignity of all athletes”. told.
On the other hand, emphasizing that they are aware of the importance of the concept of justice in elite sports, British Cycling said, “The participation of trans or non-binary people is greater than that of a race or an athlete. This is a challenge for all elite sports.”