Controversy arose after two transgender individuals took first and second place in a women’s cycling event that recently took place in Chicago.
A 25-year-old biological male who goes by the name Tessa Johnson took first place in the SingleSpeed category of the CycloCross Cup. Second place went to Evelyn Williamson, another 30-year-old transgender person. This left Allison Zmuda as the only woman to make the podium in the women’s race.
The race results caused outrage, leading several social media users, including one athlete, to criticize race organizers for allowing transgender cyclists in competitions intended for women.
“Race organizers of USA Cycling need to stop calling these ‘women’s events.’ You are fooling nobody. These are ‘beta-male races’ where some women get to be involved,” said former track coach Linda Blade, adding that they are turning the sport “into a joke.”
Race organizers of @usacycling need to stop calling these “women’s events.”
You are fooling nobody.
These are “beta-male races” where some women get to be involved.
In the process you are turning your “sport” into a joke.#Cycling #USA #UNSPORTING #Nonsense https://t.co/Kns60X0F6W— Linda Blade (@coachblade) October 9, 2023
“Women need to start boycotting these circuses of toxic masculinity,” said another X user.
Two Transgender cyclists get gold & silver medals at Chicago women's race.
Tessa Johnson, 25, won first place in the Women's SingleSpeed and Cat Half.
Evelyn Williamson, 30, placed second in the SingleSpeed at the Chicago race.
They’ve also beat women in other comps. Women… pic.twitter.com/4poUJhmUMa
— EmmaBorosKidd (@EmmaBorosKidd) October 13, 2023
The change in policies of the world governing body of cycling
In July, the International Cycling Union (UCI) released a statement announcing a policy change to ban trans cyclists from competing in women’s events if they “transitioned after puberty.”
“From now on, female transgender athletes who have transitioned after (male) puberty will be prohibited from participating in women’s events on the UCI International Calendar — in all categories — in the various disciplines,” the UCI report states.
However, the Jackson Park race follows guidelines set by USA Cycling, which allows that at “non-elite competition levels, a member may self-select their gender.”
