For the first time, a transgender person won a professional stage race, know what is the biological gender of Austin Killips
Austin Killips, the American rider, creates history by winning five of the five tours of the Gila in New Mexico. Know more about it in the article below.
Transgender cyclist Austin Killips sparks debate after winning UCI stage race
This Sunday’s stage-winning performance at the Tour of the Gila not only secured Austin Killips the overall victory of the New Mexico-based UCI 2.2 women’s race but also set a record for the first time a transgender cyclist had won a UCI women’s stage race.
Austin Killips Shares His Win On Instagram
Killips came forward on Instagram to comment after her involvement sparked a new discussion about transgender athletes.
He wrote, “I’m especially grateful to everyone in the peloton and sport who continues to reinforce that Twitter is not real life after a week of internet nonsense. I appreciate every chance I get to develop as a person and an athlete on the course among my friends, classmates, and rivals.โ
“I was born into a family of athletes. Encouraged by my parents and siblings, I competed in sports from a young age.”
Who is transgender cyclist Austin Killips: Bio, age, height, family, gender
In order to compete in women’s races, transgender women must now lower their testosterone levels to 2.5 nmol/L during a 24-month period.
The policy has drawn criticism for being unfair to non-transgender women and differing from other major sports like athletics and swimming, where transgender women are prohibited from competing in women’s events. In response to the controversy surrounding Emily Bridges, British Cycling likewise modified its regulations to prohibit transgender women from competing in elite races.
Olympic medalist Alison Sydor claimed that Killips’ involvement was “functionally no different from doping,” while another Olympian, Inga Thompson, charged that the UCI was โkilling off women’s cycling.โ
The UCI, however, defended its regulations by stating in a statement: “The UCI accepts that transgender athletes may desire to compete in accordance with their gender identity. The UCI regulations have been enforced consistently and are based on the most recent scientific understanding. UCI continues to monitor the advancement of scientific knowledge and may alter its regulations in the future.โ
Killips is a member of Nice Bikes, a non-profit women’s cycling team whose goal is to empower and support women and LGBTQIA+ cyclists, who have historically received less support and have been underrepresented in the sport. It aims to redefine what it means to support professional women’s cycling.
Killips who is now a transgender woman, was a biological male and took up cycling in 2019, and may now try to compete at the Women’s Tour de France and the Olympics.
The 27-year-old who has a height of 6 feet was sanctioned to compete in the event under the rules set by cycling’s governing body, UCI.
This is Austin Killips – the 6ft cheating MAN who just stole first place, the winnerโs jersey and ยฃ28,000 from cyclist Marcela Prieto.
Letโs make sure 2023 will be the LAST year this ever happens to women. Keep pushing. pic.twitter.com/B7hBhv2DgU— Comrade Jennifer James (@female_union) May 1, 2023
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