Transgender women will no longer be permitted to compete in female British Cycling events, the organisation has announced.
Under its previous policy, transgender women were allowed to take part so long as they had testosterone levels below the permitted five nanomoles per litre within the five-month period before a competition.
However, that policy has now been revoked, sparking backlash within the sporting world.
Their statement reads: "On Wednesday 6 April the British Cycling Board of Directors voted in favour of an immediate suspension of the current policy, pending a full review, which will be initiated in the coming weeks.
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"While the current policy was created following an extensive external and internal consultation, the review will allow us time for further discussion with all stakeholders, including women and the transgender and non-binary communities, as we strive to provide all within our sport with the clarity and understanding they deserve.
"As an organisation we remain committed to ensuring that transgender and non-binary people are welcomed, supported and celebrated in the cycling community, and the inclusion of these groups within non-competitive activities remains unaffected by the suspension."
To the surprise of many, British cycling has now revoked its inclusive policy with immediate effect, and will instead conduct a 'full review' before announcing any next steps.
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The wider issue of transgender athletes participating in female only events is proving to be deeply divisive in the world of sport, with organisations differing greatly in their respective policies.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson waded into the debate earlier this week, stating to the BBC: "I don't think biological males should be competing in female sporting events."
"Maybe that's a controversial thing to say, but it just seems to me to be sensible."
Caitlyn Jenner echoed a similar sentiment in regard to US transgender swimmer, Lia Thomas, being allowed to compete in female only races.
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"I feel sorry for the other athletes that are out there, especially at Penn or anybody she's competing against, because in the woke world, you've got to say, 'Oh, my gosh, this is great,' No, it's not," she recently said on Fox News.
Jenner went on to explicitly state that 'biological boys should not compete against biological girls'.
The news comes after transgender rider Emily Bridges was banned from competing in her first female event by the Union Cycliste Internationale - world cycling's global governing body.
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The 21-year-old, who began hormone therapy in 2021 as part of her treatment for gender dysphoria, was initially supported by British Cycling.
The governing body called for a "coalition to share, learn and understand more about how we can achieve fairness in a way that maintains the dignity and respect of all athletes."
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