In a significant policy shift, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), cycling's world governing body, has announced a ban on transgender women competing in all international women's events. This decision, effective Monday, reverses the UCI's previous stance and follows a comprehensive review of existing scientific literature and consultations with various stakeholders, including athletes, experts, and sporting institutions.

The updated policy specifically prohibits transgender women who transitioned after puberty from participating in women's events across all categories and disciplines. The UCI emphasized that this decision was made to safeguard fair competition within the women's category, acknowledging current scientific uncertainties regarding the potential impact of transitioning on athletic performance.

To accommodate all athletes, the UCI has renamed the men's category to "Men/Open," providing a space for those who do not meet the eligibility criteria for women's events. UCI President David Lappartient underscored that cycling remains inclusive of transgender individuals, encouraging their participation in all aspects of the sport, whether as competitors, leisure riders, or commuters. However, he emphasized the UCI's responsibility to ensure equitable opportunities for all competitors, leading to this precautionary measure.

This policy change follows a recent debate sparked by Austin Killips becoming the first transgender woman to win a UCI stage race, prompting the UCI to re-evaluate its existing rules on testosterone levels. Previously, the UCI had lowered the permissible testosterone limit for transgender women competing in women's events, a decision that was later revisited in light of the ongoing discussion.