Inga Thompson, a three-time Olympian who spoke out against cycling’s transgender policy following Austin Killips’ victory in the Gila, said Friday she was shocked by the way her former team ridiculed her for her points. of sight.
Thompson called on riders to protest Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) policy, including that of «kneeling at the start lines». Cynisca Cycling later announced that it had removed Thompson as director.
«If shared in the absence of politics, Inga’s knowledge and experience will benefit many and promote cycling for all,» the team said. «However, she has chosen to spend her time excluding people who are currently eligible to compete in UCI events. She has also attempted to use our team as a platform for her political activity.»
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Inga Thompson Bennett in August 1986. (Duane Howell/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Thompson told The Telegraph that she never used the team as a platform and was only «advocating for women’s sports».
«When the statement was first sent to me, I thought it was an internal document,» Thompson added. «Then about an hour later I realized it was a public document and I was horrified. This is exactly why people don’t speak up, because this is what happens when you do.»
Thompson said that she was not even the director at the time. She said that she left the role 10 days before Cynisca’s scathing statement.
«I’m stunned. I was cut from the team at the end of November when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I told them I had to resign because I needed to take care of my health,» she said.
«I’ve been through surgery and had a double mastectomy. I’m cancer free now. I don’t understand retaliation here. I don’t throw wild things around. I’m pretty measured. I’ve made it clear that I’m not attacking Austin, who is entitled to the race. I’m attacking politics.»
Inga Thompson talks to a TV reporter after the women’s road race in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, near Barcelona, on July 26, 1992 during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. (David Madison/Getty Images)
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Thompson won three silver medals at the UCI Road World Championships and one silver at the 1987 Pan American Games. He participated in three Olympic Games for the USA.
The UCI, the world governing body for cycling sport, initially defended its participation policy but appeared to change its tune on Thursday, according to The Guardian.
“The objective of the UCI remains the same: to take into consideration, in the context of the evolution of our society, the desire of transgender athletes to practice cycling,” the organization said. «The UCI also listens to the voices of female athletes and their concerns about a level playing field for female competitors and will take all elements into account, including evolving scientific knowledge.»
Austin Killips pictured on the podium after the elite women’s cyclocross race «Kasteelcross» in January 2023. (DAVID PINTENS/BELGIAN MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
Killips became the first transgender woman to win a UCI stage race.
The UCI has tightened its rules for transgender runners to compete against biological women in its events. According to Reuters, the organization halved the maximum allowable plasma testosterone level to 2.5 nanomoles per liter and doubled the transition period to 24 months.
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Killips dismissed the uproar as «nonsense» in an Instagram post.