Cycling Canada, Ontario Cycling Association, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Canadian athlete Kristen Worley settle human rights application to promote inclusive sporting environments

TORONTO, July 18, 2017 /CNW/ - Kristen Worley has settled her human rights application with Cycling Canada, the Ontario Cycling Association and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Worley sought changes to the policies, guidelines, rules and processes surrounding XY female athletes, gender verification and therapeutic use of required hormones that are captured by anti-doping regulations.

"Today, I am satisfied that the sport of Cycling in Canada and internationally have committed to help advocate for issues facing XY female athletes," said Worley. "My vision encourages sport and the Olympic Movement to do what it is supposed to do best: harmonizing and celebrating through sport the magic and enormity of our human diversity."

As a result of the settlement, Cycling Canada and the Ontario Cycling Association have agreed to:

• Review and revise internal policies to embrace human rights;
• Launch awareness and education related to diversity of participants;
• Advocate for the establishment of standards and guidelines related to XY female athletes based in objective scientific research;
• Advocate for individualized Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) conducted by medical personnel with subject-matter expertise;
• Solicit CCES, COC, Sport Canada, Commonwealth Games Federation and the Canadian Minister of Sport to advance this advocacy message to international bodies such as WADA and the IOC.

Brenda Culbert, Worley's lawyer from the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, praised Worley's "unrelenting advocacy to raise complex issues in the international and national arena that intersect sport, science, gender and human rights."

Ms. Worley has been a leader in her efforts to raise awareness and education in human rights in Canadian and international sport. Cycling Canada and the Ontario Cycling Association recognize the importance of advancing these advocacy initiatives at home and abroad. As a result, Cycling Canada and the Ontario Cycling Association are reviewing and revising their policies to embrace human rights and are embarking on a program of awareness and education related to diversity and inclusion of all participants.

The OCA and CC are pleased with the agreement with Ms. Worley and are looking forward to continuing to advocate for the development and inclusion of all athletes of Cycling in Canada and internationally.

The UCI will support an advocacy initiative to encourage sport's governing bodies, at the highest level, to adopt policies and guidelines that are based in objective scientific research and responsive to the individualized needs of XY female athletes.

The Human Rights Legal Support Centre provides free legal assistance to people in communities across Ontario who believe they have experienced discrimination contrary to Ontario's Human Rights Code.

Founded on April 14, 1900, in Paris, France, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the world governing body for cycling. Its mission consists of developing and overseeing cycling in all its form, for all people. From a competitive sport, as a healthy recreational activity, as means of transport, and also just for fun.

Cycling Canada exists to pursue world class results by leading high performance programs and enabling the development of athletes.

The Ontario Cycling Association is the provincial governing body for the sport of cycling in Ontario. They develop, promote and deliver quality programs and events for recreational riders through to competitive racers.

SOURCE Human Rights Legal Support Centre

Jennifer Ramsay, Human Rights Legal Support Centre 416-597-4958, mobile [phone], [email protected]; Louis Chenaille, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Press Officer, [phone] - [email protected]; Kristen Worley, [email protected]; Cycling Canada: Pierre Lafontaine, [phone]; Ontario Cycling Association: Jim Crosscombe, 416-855-1717

Related Links

www.hrlsc.on.ca