Trans cyclist stripped of silver medal over cycling organisation’s new requirements for trans women
Trans cyclist Leia Genis was stripped of her silver medal for allegedly not meeting USA Cyclings’ requirements for transgender athletes.
Back in July, Genis competed in the USA Cycling Elite Track National Championship in Pennsylvania. During the championship, the young athlete participated in the Individual Pursuit event and landed in second place, resulting in her silver medal achievement.
However a day later, an official from USA Cycling interrupted her preparations for the mass start races and revealed that her recent win was revoked. “A USA Cycling official informed me that I was no longer allowed to compete and that my place on the IP podium was to be revoked on account of my trans identity,” she revealed in a lengthy statement via Instagram. “6 weeks ago, I was eligible for competition at UC1 C1 and C2 races held at the same velodrome and overseen by the same technical director. “Yet 6 weeks later, now that I am doing well at nationals, I am suddenly ineligible to compete.
The transphobia is so blatant it’s almost laughable.” Towards the end of her statement, Genis called out the cycling organisations for their “poorly communicated guidelines, restrictions and requirements that are constantly changing.” Back in June, the Union Cycliste Internationale introduced new restrictive rules regarding trans athletes and their participation in the sport.
