Veronica Ivy, a Canadian cyclist and the first transgender woman to win a world track cycling championship, has openly criticized the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)'s recent policy update regarding transgender athletes' participation in women's events. The UCI's new regulations, released on Friday, bar transgender cyclists who transitioned after (male) puberty from competing in women's competitions.

Ivy, also an associate professor of philosophy and faculty member in women's and gender studies at the College of Charleston, expressed her disapproval on Instagram. She stated that the new policy forces her into the "Men's/Open" category, which she argues isn't truly open as it will primarily include transgender women and cisgender men, excluding cisgender women. Ivy believes the UCI's decision sends a message that transgender women are not recognized as women and require separation from cisgender women's competitions. She characterized the policy as "nonsense," "an indignity," "inhumane," and "disgusting," but affirmed her resolve not to be deterred by what she considers a targeted, transphobic policy.

Ivy, a two-time World Masters champion in her age group, has been a vocal advocate for transgender women's inclusion in women's sports. Her 2019 UCI Masters World Track Cycling Championship win marked a significant moment in the discussion surrounding transgender athletes in competitive cycling.

The UCI’s decision stems from a July 5th meeting where they concluded that current scientific understanding cannot guarantee the elimination of any physical advantage gained prior to hormone therapy, even after treatment. The rule change, effective Monday, renames the men's category to "Men/Open" to accommodate those who don't meet the women's category criteria.

This policy update follows the UCI’s previous rule change last year, which increased the required period for maintaining serum testosterone levels below a certain threshold. The organization had previously defended its policies after transgender cyclist Austin Killips won a UCI stage race, but subsequent backlash led to the current review and the new regulations.