UCI released a report Tuesday on its responsibility to tackle racism and ensure diversity in cycling. The report was released in the wake of the international "Black Lives Matter" protest movement that erupted after the murder of George Floyd by former police officer Derek Shovin in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May. [Cycling is a universal activity and we must continue our efforts to ensure that cycling is equally accessible at all levels and in all forms around the world. George Floyd's death has caused a wave of outrage around the world, but the testimonies of riders who describe being racially discriminated against because of their dark skin send a message about our responsibility," the report states.
Shovin, who knelt at Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes, was later charged with second-degree murder. Three other officers were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
In the wake of Floyd's death and the Black Lives Matter protests, some companies in the cycling industry have remained silent. In contrast, some companies have issued statements of support on social media channels, expressed concern, and promised action to improve diversity in the sport.
Fuji Bicycles' North American distributor, BikeCo. issued a statement on Sunday declaring that it would stop selling Fuji bicycles to police after a number of incidents in which bicycles were used as weapons against protesters across the US.
Specialized founder Mike Sinyard issued a statement Tuesday outlining the company's plans to encourage inclusion and diversity in cycling. He pledged an additional $10 million to support the change.
Such a statement, however, reflects a broader issue of systemic racism in cycling.
In its report, the UCI cites progress in improving diversity in cycling, but also reflects on the sport's ties to Western nations with economic privilege.
"As an international federation, what is the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) doing to ensure diversity in cycling, an Olympic and Paralympic sport that remains strongly tied to the West and is predominantly practiced by countries and people with relative economic privileges?" The report asks.
The UCI noted several strategies it has taken in recent years to address racial discrimination and support diversity: the UCI has established its own constitution that guarantees "equality among all members, all athletes, license holders and officials, without racial, political, religious, gender or other discrimination."
UCI enacted its own constitution guaranteeing.
UCI also points to an article in its Code of Ethics, last updated in 2018, which states: 6.1. "Non-discrimination":
"No person bound by this Code shall discriminate on the basis of color, race, religion, ethnic or social origin, political opinion, sexual orientation, disability, or against human dignity No person shall engage in conduct, use defamatory language, or use any other means that offends the human dignity of any person or group of persons for any reason, including, but not limited to, other reasons."
However, after Floyd's death, black athletes, including French track and field short distance athlete and Olympic medalist Gregory Beaugier, came forward about their experiences of racism in sports.
There have been other instances of racial abuse in professional cycling, including a recently reported case involving Kevin Reza in 2017. Reza's FDJ teammate Sebastian Reichenbach took to Twitter to call out Gianni Moscon (then with Team Sky) for using a racist rant against Reza during the Tour de Romandie.
The UCI, under then president Brian Cookson, launched an investigation against Team Sky and Moscon following the incident and elevated the case to the disciplinary committee. Ultimately, Team Sky suspended Moscon and decided to take no further action.
Reza was also racially abused by Michael Albasini (then of Orica) during a stage of the 2014 Tour de France when the two were part of a breakaway group. In a similar case the following year, Branislau Samoilau was accused of verbally abusing MTN Kubeka's Nathanael Berhane. He was fined one month's salary by the CCC Porsat team, and the team reportedly donated the funds to Qhubeka's charitable organization. In both cases, the UCI chose not to impose punishment because an apology and agreement was made between the athlete and the team.
The UCI noted that "diversity is a reality" in cycling, and the document released Tuesday focuses on the UCI's efforts in the areas of training and development for resource-poor countries and regions, and the UCI's efforts to make cycling more global.
The UCI World Championships are held in eight disciplines and are open to 196 national federations. He also gave examples of recent World Championships held in Asia, North America, and Europe, as well as the Road World Championships held in Yorkshire, England, where 1,072 athletes from 67 countries participated. 2025 will see the first World Championships held in Africa in the Federation's 120-year history. This is a long-awaited step forward.
"Nevertheless, we know that despite these numbers, not all countries are equally able to accompany riders to the highest level and reach the professional level of cycling. That is why the UCI, together with young riders and those involved in the sport, is stepping into that foundation," the statement said.
The UCI highlighted that its World Cycling Center (WCC) has hosted more than 2,200 athletes, coaches, and other cycling professionals from five continents between 2008 and 2018. Athletes who used the support of the WCC program early in their careers include Tenniel Campbell from Trinidad, who now races for Valcar-Travel & Service; Daniel from Eritrea, who raced for Team Cofidis and Dimension Data Teclehaimano, BMX specialist Stephanie Hernandez from Venezuela, and Chinese track cycling specialist Guo Xuan.
"In total, 22 Olympic medals and 78 UCI World Champions can be attributed to the work of the UCI WCC and its five satellite centers around the world, such as the one in Paarl, South Africa.
As part of Agenda 2022, the sports governing body spent more than CHF 2 million to support 120 projects implemented by national and continental federations as part of the UCI Solidarity Program. The program aims to support emerging cycling nations and promote the sport to increase its global popularity.
"Last year, the UCI allocated CHF 5 million worldwide to support the training and development of cycling around the world. This budget is financed by the Olympic contribution the UCI receives after each Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"With this income, the UCI is able to contribute to the diversity of the sport. Just as cycling is open to everyone, regardless of their origins. For the rainbow needs all the colors."
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