Key Takeaways
- Two Cycling Canada board members, including Becka Borody, resigned immediately, citing a need for greater transparency, communication, and respect for athletes.
- The Cycling Canada Athletes’ Council (12 athletes) sent a letter demanding reform of the organization’s “high performance” structure, strategy, and framework, which they view as ineffective and directionless.
- Athletes are specifically calling for the reinstatement of the women’s team pursuit program, which was cut and thus ended their LA 2028 Olympic qualification bid, while the men’s pursuit team remains unaffected.
- Five national team athletes (Skyler Goudswaard, Fiona Majendie, Jenna Nestman, Lily Plante, Justine Thomas) filed an appeal with the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada challenging Cycling Canada’s decision.
- Team Canada road cyclist and board athlete‑representative Alison Jackson criticized the decision as poorly handled, lacking accountability, and unfairly blaming athletes for shortcomings that stem from inadequate performance markers and a weak organizational culture.
- Cycling Canada CEO Mathieu Boucher defended the cut as a competitiveness‑based decision, not a funding issue, but athletes say they were never informed of the standards they needed to meet.
- Jackson expressed concern about the mental and emotional toll on the affected athletes, while remaining hopeful that a successful appeal will prompt Cycling Canada to develop a concrete strategy to support the women’s pursuit team.
Background of the Controversy
Just days after five national cycling team athletes launched an appeal against Cycling Canada to be reinstated for competition, two board members resigned from the national sport organization. Becka Borody, one of the resigning members, explained that her decision was not tied to a single incident but reflected a broader belief that athletes deserve better transparency, communication, and respect within the system designed to support them. She stated that her future focus will be on supporting athletes and the wider cycling community outside of Cycling Canada.
Board Resignations and Athlete Calls for Change
The resignations were effective immediately and followed growing dissatisfaction among athletes. Shortly thereafter, the Cycling Canada Athletes’ Council—comprised of twelve athletes—sent a formal letter to the organization. The letter’s primary aim is to request reform of the “high performance” structure, strategy, and framework, which the athletes argue has been historically and currently ineffective and directionless. Their demands include clearer performance expectations, improved athlete representation, and a more supportive environment.
Specific Demand: Reinstatement of the Women’s Team Pursuit
A central component of the Athletes’ Council’s letter is the call for the reinstatement of the women’s team pursuit program. Cycling Canada’s decision not to send a women’s pursuit team to this year’s world championships effectively ended the athletes’ bid to qualify for the LA 2028 Olympics. In contrast, the men’s pursuit team remains on track to compete. Alison Jackson, a Team Canada road cyclist and the national team athlete representative on the Cycling Canada board, highlighted the gender disparity, calling it a “red flag” in sports culture that only the women’s program was cancelled.
Athlete Appeal Process
Earlier this week, Skyler Goudswaard, Fiona Majendie, Jenna Nestman, Lily Plante, and Justine Thomas filed an appeal with the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada, challenging Cycling Canada’s decision to cut the women’s pursuit team. Jackson noted that the athletes are not discouraged; rather, the appeal has motivated them to train harder, bolstered by national and international support that expressed shock at the cancellation of a women’s team.
Leadership Accountability and Program Shortcomings
Jackson criticized the handling of the situation, asserting that Cycling Canada leadership lacks accountability. She argued that the organization must own the lack of a current and historical framework capable of developing medal‑winning performances and acknowledge that the athletes are not at fault for the program’s shortcomings. According to Jackson, the athletes were never given clear performance markers or power targets, making it unfair to blame them for failing to reach unspecified standards. The absence of structure and a poor organizational culture, she contended, set the athletes up for failure.
Legal Perspective on Fairness and Consistency
The lawyers representing the five athletes, Amanda Fowler and Emir Crowne, echoed these concerns in a joint statement. They asserted that the decision raises serious questions about fairness, consistency, and whether female athletes are being afforded the same opportunities to compete and progress as their male counterparts. Their statement underscores the belief that the cut appears discriminatory and lacks a transparent, evidence‑based rationale.
CEO’s Justification and Athlete Response
Cycling Canada CEO Mathieu Boucher defended the decision earlier in the week, stating that it was based on competitiveness rather than funding. He explained that the cut was made to re‑shift focus toward areas where the organization could have a greater impact and rebuild the team. Jackson countered that the athletes were never informed of the performance standards they needed to meet, suggesting that had they known, the outcome might have been different. She emphasized that the existing distrust of the organization exacerbates concerns when decisions are communicated vaguely.
Impact on Athletes’ Mental and Emotional Well‑Being
Jackson has remained in contact with the affected women, noting that they have invested substantial time, energy, hopes, dreams, and financial resources into a program that now appears to be a dead end. While she acknowledged their resilience—observing that athletes typically respond to setbacks by training harder and thinking creatively—she also warned about the mental and emotional toll the situation is taking. Jackson questioned how much energy and stress the appeal process might divert from actual training and performance, should the athletes succeed in their bid to attend the world championships.
Hope for Reinstatement and Future Support
Despite the challenges, Jackson expressed optimism that the women’s team pursuit could be reinstated if the appeal succeeds. She urged Cycling Canada to act quickly to develop a comprehensive strategy that fully supports the women, providing them with the resources, guidance, and backing necessary to achieve strong performances. Jackson’s hope is that a favorable outcome will prompt the organization to move beyond reactive cuts and instead foster a sustainable, athlete‑centered high‑performance system.
Conclusion
The recent resignations, athlete appeals, and calls for reform illustrate a growing crisis of confidence within Cycling Canada. Athletes are demanding greater transparency, clear performance expectations, and equitable treatment—particularly for the women’s pursuit program that was abruptly cancelled. While leadership cites competitiveness as the rationale, athletes and their legal representatives argue that the decision lacks fairness, accountability, and adequate communication. The outcome of the ongoing appeal will likely shape not only the immediate fate of the women’s team pursuit but also the broader direction of Cycling Canada’s high‑performance strategy.