Transgender cyclist wins discrimination case against International Cycling Union in Belgium
The discrimination case, settled this month by the Brussels civil court, dates back to 2023, when the cyclist was notified that her licence had been revoked and she was barred from women's competitions based on new UCI regulations.
At the time, the international cycling body questioned the supposed advantage conferred on transgender women in competitions by having reached puberty as a boy.
In July 2023, it imposed a requirement that transgender athletes, in order to compete in the women's category, must be able to prove that they began their transitioning before puberty or before the age of 12.
This is in addition to the existing requirement to display low testosterone levels.
ALSO READ | Sports tribunal, athlete centricity among key features in Sports Governance Bill to be tabled in Parliament
The plaintiff, born a boy in 1974, transitioned in her early forties and argued that the measure leading to her exclusion constituted discrimination.
In an order dated July 10, the court ruled in her favour, saying her action against the UCI was admissible and well-founded.
This chapter of the UCI medical regulations on eligibility rules for transgender athletes establishes 'discrimination prohibited' by Belgian law, pursuant to a December 2008 decree on gender equality, the court ruled.
Consequently, these rules are declared null and void, and the UCI no longer has any justification for refusing the plaintiff's participation in women's cycling competitions, the court ruled, according to a copy of the order released to the media.
Belgium's Institute for the Equality of Women and Men, which was a civil party in the case, said the order was 'directly enforceable' and sets a precedent in the country.
The Belgian cycling federation told AFP it had began discussions with the UCI about how to apply the rules in the future.
Related Topics
International Cycling Union
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Marc Brys denies he has quit as Cameroon coach
By Amindeh Blaise Atabong HT Image YAOUNDE (Reuters) -Marc Brys has denied he has quit as coach of Cameroon despite the country's football federation confirming his exit on Wednesday, as the Belgian said his email was likely hacked and his alleged resignation letter did not come from him. It is the latest twist in a long-running battle between Brys and the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) since his appointment by the country's sports ministry in April 2024. A letter dated July 21, supposedly from Brys to the sports ministry and FECAFOOT, said he had made the decision to terminate his contract "due to the non-payment of my remuneration and that of my staff for more than 60 days." When the letter came into the public domain on Wednesday, FECAFOOT said in a statement they had noted the resignation and would "implement a coordinated response to mitigate the impact of this vacancy at the head of the national team's technical staff." However, Brys later said in a letter to the sports ministry that his email had likely been hacked, and that he had not resigned. Cameroon's sports ministry confirmed that Brys remained in his role. FECAFOOT has not responded to the coach's denial. It comes five months before the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco and with Cameroon's qualification for the 2026 World Cup undecided. Brys has had a testy relationship with FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto'o since taking the job last year, but his position is funded by the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education. Cameroon have been drawn in a group with defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon and Mozambique at the December 21-January 18 finals of the AFCON. They are currently second in their qualifying pool for next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, a point behind Cape Verde with four rounds remaining. Only the top team automatically earns their place at the finals, with Cameroon set for a crunch tie away against Cape Verde in September. The qualification campaign will conclude in October. (Writing by Nick SaidEditing by Christian Radnedge and Toby Davis)
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- The Hindu
AIU suspends joint secretary Sekhon for World University Games fiasco, ensures medals for shuttlers who missed out
The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has suspended its joint secretary, Baljit Singh Sekhon and instituted a three-member inquiry panel to investigate the 'mismanagement' that led to selected athletes missing participation in the ongoing World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. The bronze-winning Indian badminton squad was mired in controversy when it came to light that six of the 12 chosen players were barred from participating after Indian officials failed to submit all names correctly during the managers' meeting on July 16. However, the AIU said following negotiations with FISU (the international body for university sports), all 12 members of the squad have been awarded medals and certificates, as is the norm. Rohan Kumar, Darshan Pujari, Aditi Bhatt, Abhinash Mohanty, Viraj Kuvale, and Alisha Khan were part of the 12-member squad but did not get to play. Woman quarter-miler Devyani Bazala also alleged that she could not compete as her name went 'missing because of a late alteration by the officials in submitting the confirmation list'. 'The inquiry panel will investigate the entire matter, and to ensure that it works impartially, we have decided to suspend our joint secretary, Baljit Singh Skehon. The panel will submit its report within 15 days,' AIU Secretary General Dr Pankaj Mittal told PTI. 'In addition, the AIU has also ensured that athletes who were denied participation due to the manager's mistake have been given certificates and medals by FISU. This was after we held discussions with FISU,' Mittal added. ALSO READ: Sports tribunal, athlete centricity among key features in Sports Governance Bill to be tabled in Parliament Sekhon was at the helm of the Indian delegation that is currently in Germany and was responsible for the drafting of the names of officials and athletes, which were finalised for the Games that will conclude on July 27. The panel will be headed by Anil Kumar Kalkal, who is the Vice Chancellor of Guru Ghasidas University in Bilaspur. Kalkal and Birender Singh are the two members of the committee. Earlier, a livid Sports Ministry also took note of the development. 'Clearly, they are unable to manage the affairs properly. Probably, the solution is a separate federation to handle administration. A revamp is needed because university sport is our best bet to find high-potential athletes,' a ministry source said. 'It is obviously sad that something like this happened, and the country was embarrassed. This will be thoroughly looked into,' he added. Related Topics World University Games
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Transgender cyclist wins discrimination case against International Cycling Union in Belgium
A court in Belgium has ruled in favour of a transgender cyclist who sued the International Cycling Union (UCI) after it refused her a licence to participate in women's events, according to a judgment issued on Tuesday. The discrimination case, settled this month by the Brussels civil court, dates back to 2023, when the cyclist was notified that her licence had been revoked and she was barred from women's competitions based on new UCI regulations. At the time, the international cycling body questioned the supposed advantage conferred on transgender women in competitions by having reached puberty as a boy. In July 2023, it imposed a requirement that transgender athletes, in order to compete in the women's category, must be able to prove that they began their transitioning before puberty or before the age of 12. This is in addition to the existing requirement to display low testosterone levels. ALSO READ | Sports tribunal, athlete centricity among key features in Sports Governance Bill to be tabled in Parliament The plaintiff, born a boy in 1974, transitioned in her early forties and argued that the measure leading to her exclusion constituted discrimination. In an order dated July 10, the court ruled in her favour, saying her action against the UCI was admissible and well-founded. This chapter of the UCI medical regulations on eligibility rules for transgender athletes establishes 'discrimination prohibited' by Belgian law, pursuant to a December 2008 decree on gender equality, the court ruled. Consequently, these rules are declared null and void, and the UCI no longer has any justification for refusing the plaintiff's participation in women's cycling competitions, the court ruled, according to a copy of the order released to the media. Belgium's Institute for the Equality of Women and Men, which was a civil party in the case, said the order was 'directly enforceable' and sets a precedent in the country. The Belgian cycling federation told AFP it had began discussions with the UCI about how to apply the rules in the future. Related Topics International Cycling Union
