Philippa York: USA Cycling CEO's response to Arkansas anti-transgender laws is unacceptable

Philippa York
Philippa York (Image credit: Philippa York)

"It would be different if our athletes were going to be affected, but we don't believe they will be. There is a question around collegiate athletes if they're racing for their school."

Whenever I see statements like the above words of USA Cycling CEO Rob DeMartini I immediately think of the post-war confessional prose by Martin Niemoller and though the context here isn't the same, the basic sentiment is, and that's of people being classed as other. Just because you think you aren't affected doesn't make something OK, and for this to be the position taken by the top person of a major cycling organisation is unacceptable. It's why too many LGBTQ people feel that sport isn't for them. 

Philippa York

Philippa York is a long-standing Cyclingnews contributor, providing expert racing analysis. As one of the early British racers to take the plunge and relocate to France with the famed ACBB club in the 1980's, she was the inspiration for a generation of racing cyclists – and cycling fans – from the UK.

The Glaswegian gained a contract with Peugeot in 1980, making her Tour de France debut in 1983 and taking a solo win in Bagnères-de-Luchon in the Pyrenees, the mountain range which would prove a happy hunting ground throughout her Tour career. 

The following year's race would prove to be one of her finest seasons, becoming the first rider from the UK to win the polka dot jersey at the Tour, whilst also becoming Britain's highest-ever placed GC finisher with 4th spot. 

She finished runner-up at the Vuelta a España in 1985 and 1986, to Pedro Delgado and Álvaro Pino respectively, and at the Giro d'Italia in 1987. Stage race victories include the Volta a Catalunya (1985), Tour of Britain (1989) and Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré (1990). York retired from professional cycling as reigning British champion following the collapse of Le Groupement in 1995. 

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