Shortly after five members of the national cycling team appealed against Cycling Canada for reinstatement in competitions, two board members have resigned from the organization in response to the appeal.
The immediate resignations include Becka Borody, who cited the need for greater transparency, improved communication, and better support for athletes as reasons for stepping down.
Meanwhile, the Cycling Canada Athletes’ Council, comprising twelve athletes, has sent a letter to the organization calling for structural reforms in the high-performance program, which they deem ineffective and lacking direction.
Reinstatement of Women’s Pursuit Team Urged
The athletes in the letter also demand the reinstatement of the women’s pursuit team, following Cycling Canada’s decision not to send them to the world championships, effectively halting their bid for the 2028 Olympics qualification.
Team Canada road cyclist Alison Jackson, who is also the national team athlete representative on the Cycling Canada board, expressed disappointment in the handling of the situation and emphasized the need for accountability from the organization.
The athletes who filed the appeal, including Skyler Goudswaard and Fiona Majendie, challenge Cycling Canada’s decision through the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada.
Program Decision Sparks Concerns
Legal representatives of the athletes have raised concerns about the fairness and consistency of Cycling Canada’s decision, particularly in how it impacts female athletes compared to their male counterparts.
While the organization has not responded to requests for comment on the board resignations, Cycling Canada CEO Mathieu Boucher defended the decision based on competitiveness rather than funding constraints.
Jackson highlighted the lack of communication regarding performance standards for the team and emphasized the athletes’ distrust of the organization due to transparency issues.
Despite the challenges, Jackson remains hopeful for the reinstatement of the women’s pursuit team program, acknowledging the resilience of the athletes but also expressing concerns about the toll on their mental and emotional well-being.
She urged Cycling Canada to be proactive in supporting the athletes if the appeal is successful, ensuring they have the necessary resources and backing for optimal performance.