Canadian cyclists launch appeal against Cycling Canada amid program cut

Five Canadian cyclists are prepared to fight back after it was announced Cycling Canada would not be sending a women’s pursuit team to this year’s world championships slated for Oct. 14-18.

CBC Sports has learned cyclists Skyler Goudswaard, Fiona Majendie, Jenna Nestman,  Lily Plante, and Justine Thomas have filed an appeal with the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada challenging Cycling Canada’s decision. 

It’s their hope an arbitration ruling goes in their favour to have the women’s pursuit team reinstated. The men’s pursuit team is unaffected and is on track to compete. 

The lawyers representing the athletes have a history with Cycling Canada. 

“The decision raises serious questions about fairness, consistency, and whether female athletes are being afforded the same opportunity to compete and progress as the men’s program,” said Amanda Fowler and Dr. Emir Crowne in a joint statement.

Cycling Canada’s CEO Mathieu Boucher says the national sports organization is not aware of the appeal at this point. 

"At this stage we are not aware of any formal appeal being filed, however, we will respect the appeal process if and when that occurs,” Boucher said in a statement to CBC Sports. 

Olympic cyclist "shocked" by cut to program

Last fall Crowne and Fowler represented Dylan Bibic in a SDRCC arbitration case involving Cycling Canada. 

Bibic had earned Canada's berth at the world championships last year but was initially passed over to compete in the event by the national sport organization.

Dr. Crowne and Fowler won that arbitration case.

Bibic was reinstated and competed for Canada. 

Dr. Crowne and Fowler are once again questioning a decision by Cycling Canada, specifically pointing out that the men’s pursuit team has