The International Cycling Union (UCI) has decided to introduce gender testing for the Olympic Games, but has postponed the requirement for GPS transmitters. During the Road Cycling World Championships in Montreal, the UCI announced that it would draw up guidelines before the end of the year for the one-off test, which is to apply only to competitions organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
At the end of March, under pressure from the next Olympic host, Donald Trump, the IOC decided to introduce gender testing for female athletes wishing to compete in women’s events. The discussions were triggered by a controversy at the 2024 Summer Games, centred on the Olympic boxing champions Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting. Both had previously been excluded from the World Championships by the world governing body because, on the basis of a gender test that was not explained in detail, they allegedly did not meet the eligibility criteria. Both were allowed to compete at the Olympics.
No timetable for compulsory GPS
It had actually been expected that the UCI would also make the fitting of GPS transmitters to vehicles and bicycles compulsory from 2027 onwards in Montreal. There had been an open dispute on this issue with various teams, who had called for different guidelines. Among other things, the dispute centred on liability and the commercial use of GPS data.
The UCI has now announced that plans for comprehensive GPS tracking are still going ahead. However, this measure has not been backed up by either a complete set of regulations or a timetable. For David Lappartient, the president of the world governing body, this can be seen as a defeat. The Frenchman had pushed for rapid implementation and stressed that he would not allow himself to be blackmailed by teams.
Six years after the Jakobsen incident: New barriers required by regulation
On the subject of safety, the association has decided to make special, safer barrier fences compulsory along the final 200 metres of a race. These are already in use by some organisers and will be compulsory from next year.
The measure comes six years after Fabio Jakobsen’s serious crash at the Tour of Poland. The Dutch rider was forced into the barriers whilst sprinting at a speed of 80 and sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash. Jakobsen was in a coma for two days, suffered several broken bones and severe facial injuries.
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