“It Kills Your Desire to Do Your Best”- Pro-Cyclist Reiterates Her Experience With the Transgender Cyclist and Shares Her Exasperation on the Lack of Fairness

The competitive cycling arena at the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships has witnessed a recent twist by adding a new chapter of transgender athletes within the cycling sport. Two transgender women who are biological males namely Tessa Johnson and Evelyn Williamson pedaled into the spotlight grabbing gold and silver medals.

Besides their victory, the cycling spectacle gave rise to a fervent debate on the intersection of inclusivity. In addition to this, the essence of fair competition in the world of women’s sports has been questioned amidst the evolving landscape of gender identity in cycling. 

Illinois State Cyclocross Championship became the site of transgender triumph

In October, 25-year-old Johnson and 30-year-old Williamson took the same position in the Chicago Cyclocross Cup. However, the transgender duo accomplished outrageous victory with Johnson claiming first place and Williamson ending up as second. Even though previously Johnson had taken part in the men’s category, the performance escalated as competing as a transgender female.

On the other hand, Williamson has been a part of women’s category since 2017 and has earned almost 18 titles. But the cyclist pair’s dominance in the Chicago Cyclocross Cup has amplified controversy leaving the biological woman in the third place spiking questions on the fairness of the competition.

In an interview, pro-cyclist Evie Edwards who had rode before with Johson shared her experience. She stated saying that in the world of female sports, male bodies should not be allowed. Edwards reiterated her cycling experience with Johnson claiming that the ride demanded going through tough terrain and flyovers and it seemed unfair for her stating, “Quite honestly once I realized that the competition was meaningless to me, it kills your desire to do your best when you know that it’s unfair.”  

Backlash from the athletes and sport advocates

The success of the transgender cycling pair has sparked criticism from female sports advocates other sports personalities. Martina Navratilova, the tennis legend expressed her discontent about the participation of the transgender cyclists in the women category and their eventual victory. Navratiova referred the female athletes of having “mediocre male bodies”. Other than this, the former 12-time All-American swimmer, Riley Gaines offered to compensate the cyclists who chose to boycott the USA Cycling competition in protest.

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As reported by Fox News, the website states, “Discrimination or harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification… or any other stupid idea someone comes up with to belittle others will not be tolerated at CCC events and may result in disqualification and/or being asked to leave.” The cycling race that took place on Sunday was organized by Chicago CrossCup and they have declared to be following the USA Cycling’s Transgender Athlete Particiaption policies for all its races.

As criticism mounts surrounding the ongoing debate about the transgender cyclists’ participation in women’s sports, the tension between maintenance of integrity and inclusivity in the sports sector intensifies. The cycling community is eager to find out out how organizational policies and regulatory frameworks will shape the discourse of transgender athletes.  

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