The Emily Bridges Interview
Of Bicycles and Bigotry
“I don’t think biological males should be competing in female sporting events,”
— Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister
Emily Bridges was interviewed last night — Tuesday — on ITV News. I watched although I wasn't going to and I am glad I did. I now feel lucky to have been in the right place at the right time. I had not taken much notice of the controversy when she had been due to ride her first women’s race at the National Omnium Championships and had been informed the day before by British Cycling that she could not take part. Leading up to the competition there were rumours that some women riders were threatening to boycott if Bridges was allowed to compete. Bridges was informed by BC having already complied and already satisfied BC that her testosterone levels had remained under the permitted level for the required period — allowing her to race with women, under BC’s own policy — that the world governing body — the UCI — could not sanction her taking part. It would require an expert panel and six weeks to investigate. Bridges was devastated and stated,
“It just felt like, because it was so last minute, it was just really messed up and there were just so many oversights. It feels like, why wasn’t it checked earlier?”
