Inga Thompson, an American road cyclist who represented Team USA three times at the Olympic Games, called on professional cyclists to protest Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) policies for the participation of transgender athletes in the sport. .
Thompson’s tweet Sunday came a week after Austin Killips, a transgender woman, won the Tour de Gila all-around against biological women.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Austin Killips is shown on the podium after the Kasteelcross elite women’s cyclocross race in January 2023. (David Pintens/Belgian Magazine/AFP via Getty Images)
«Time for women cyclists to start protesting @UCI_cycling policy,» Thompson tweeted. «Start kneeling at the start lines. Team managers need to speak up and protect their riders. Hold up ‘Save Women’s Sports’ signs at every race.»
Thompson won three silver medals at the UCI Road World Championships and one silver at the 1987 Pan American Games.
MARTINA NAVRATILOVA ON AUSTIN KILLIPS’ CYCLING WIN: ‘WOMEN’S SPORT IS NOT THE PLACE’ FOR TRANS ATHLETES
Inga Thompson Bennett in August 1986 (Duane Howell/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
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.»
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.
Inga Thompson talks to a reporter after the women’s road race in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, near Barcelona, on July 26, 1992, during the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. (David Madison/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Killips dismissed the uproar as «nonsense» in an Instagram post.