Policy VII: Competition Category Policy
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee has concluded that, in accordance with the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, 36 U.S.C. § 220501 et seq., and further pursuant to Executive Order 14201 (which references definitions in Executive Order 14168), which the USOPC has determined to be applicable to National Governing Bodies (“NGBs”), and to ensure compliance with the NGB Athlete Safety Policy, all NGBs must adopt the definition of the Women’s Category as described below. Failure of an NGB to do so may result in sanctions imposed by the USOPC, including the potential loss of its status as an NGB.
USA Cycling's new Competition Category Policy (Policy VII) will take effect on September 15, 2025. The previous version of Policy VII (effective January 1, 2024) will remain in place through September 14, 2025.
This Policy applies to all USA Cycling-sanctioned Competitive Events except for select International Events governed by UCI Eligibility Regulations for Transgender Athletes. More information about Competitive Events (Section 1) and regulations surrounding International Events (Section 5) is addressed in the updated policy below.
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”) requires USA Cycling to adopt the following provision from the USOPC’s NGB Athlete Safety Policy:
"[National Governing Bodies] are committed to protecting opportunities for athletes participating in sport. [National Governing Bodies] will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders with oversight responsibilities, e.g., [International Olympic Committee], [International Paralympic Committee], international federations, to ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act, 36 U.S.C. § 22501, et. Seq.”
The USOPC has concluded that, in accordance with the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, 36 U.S.C. § 220501 et seq., and further pursuant to Executive Order 14201 (which references definitions in Executive Order 14168), which the USOPC has determined to be applicable to National Governing Bodies (“NGBs”), and to ensure compliance with the NGB Athlete Safety Policy, all NGBs must adopt the definition of the Women’s Category as described below. Failure of an NGB to do so may result in sanctions imposed by the USOPC, including the potential loss of its status as an NGB.
USA Cycling, therefore, adopts the USOPC’s NGB Athlete Safety Policy and the following Competition Category Policy (“Policy”).
1. Scope.
This Policy applies to all USA Cycling-sanctioned “Competitive Events” except for International Events as addressed in Section 5. For purposes of this Policy, a “Competitive Event” is an event that recognizes finishing position in sex-based competition categories, through timing, scoring, placing, awards, prizes, or other similar mechanisms.
USA Cycling will also select athletes for its national teams and national programs consistent with this Policy.
2. Men’s/Open Category.
Any individual, irrespective of sex assigned at birth, is permitted to compete in the Men’s/Open category at any Competitive Event, subject to the regulations specified in USA Cycling’s Rulebook.
3. Women’s Category.
Pursuant to the requirements set out above, the Women’s Category is limited to individuals who meet the following definition of female:
“Female means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell.”
For purposes of applying this requirement, an individual who was not identified as female at birth may not participate in the Women’s Category at any Competitive Event.
4. Administrative Application of the Women’s Category.
Status will be determined during the membership application or Competitive Event registration process. When applying for membership or registering for a Competitive Event in the Women’s Category, an individual represents and warrants to USA Cycling that she is Female, which creates a rebuttable presumption that the individual's sex identified at birth was female. USA Cycling may challenge this presumption. The determination of whether an individual is Female may be established through the individual’s original birth certificate or other reliable facts. Only USA Cycling shall have the right to contest the individual’s Women’s Category status.
5. International Events.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (“UCI”) Eligibility Regulations for Transgender Athletes apply at “International Events.” The UCI defines an "International Event" in UCI Regulation 13.5.007 as follows:
“International Event” means an event registered on the UCI International Calendar in any discipline, including any event for which UCI points are awarded, as well as other events recognised by the UCI such as world records and any other competition organised by or on the behalf of UCI.
This Policy does not apply to International Events, regardless of whether they are sanctioned by USA Cycling, except:
a. This Policy applies to USA Cycling’s national teams and national programs participating in International Events, and
b. This Policy applies to all USA Cycling National Championships.
6. Confidentiality.
All information provided to USA Cycling under this Policy will be dealt with in strict confidence and under applicable privacy laws. Such information will not be used for any purpose not contemplated in this Policy. It will not be disclosed to any third party unless that disclosure is necessary for the effective application and enforcement of this Policy or is required by law. USA Cycling shall not publicly comment on individuals or decisions under this Policy except, in its discretion, it may do so in response to public comments attributed to the individual or the individual’s representatives.
7. Compliance with Anti-Doping Rules.
Nothing in this Policy shall affect an individual’s obligation to fully comply with the Anti-Doping Rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (“USADA”), the International Testing Agency, the USOPC, the UCI, or USA Cycling. If the use of a substance on WADA’s Prohibited List is contemplated in connection with a gender transition, then the individual must first obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption from USADA before that substance is used.
8. Other Eligibility Requirements Not Affected.
The application of this Policy shall not affect eligibility requirements or rules otherwise set out in USA Cycling’s rules, regulations, and policies.
9. Assistance with This Policy.
Any person seeking information on the application of this Policy should contact the Technical Director for assistance. The USA Cycling Technical Director may be reached here.
10. Member Agreement, Consent, and Release.
All individuals subject to this Policy represent and agree that:
a. All information submitted concerning their membership application or event registration is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge, and no relevant information has been intentionally withheld.
b. The individual will fully cooperate with and provide any additional information reasonably requested by USA Cycling in the administration of this Policy.
c. Neither USA Cycling nor any USA Cycling employees, directors, officers, agents, representatives, or other persons involved in the administration of this Policy shall be liable in any way in relation to acts done or omitted to be done in good faith in connection with the administration of this Policy.
11. Policy Effective Date.
This Policy shall take effect on September 15, 2025. After that date, the requirements outlined in this Policy shall be fully applicable without regard to an individual’s status under any prior USA Cycling or UCI policy.
12. Policy Review.
USA Cycling will regularly review this Policy and reserves the right to update this Policy with immediate effect at any time.
Policy History
Policy Approver | Approved Date | Publication Date | Revision Summary |
Board of Directors | August 6, 2025 | September 2, 2025 | Initial Publication |
Page updated on 9/2/25