Cycling Canada decision to cancel women's team pursuit program draws ire of track athletes

Frustrated Canadian track cyclists continue to voice their displeasure and concerns on social media about Cycling Canada’s recent announcement to withdraw its women’s team pursuit squad from the Oct. 14 world championships in Shanghai.

On Monday, Cycling Canada told CBC Sports on Monday its decision was performance-based informed by objective, evidence-based analysis.

In an email to athletes and coaches obtained by Cycling Canada Magazine, the national governing body of cycle racing also cited budget constraints for cancelling the women’s program. However, it will continue to support the equivalent men’s program.

"While difficult, it was made in the best interest of the program's long-term success," Cycling Canada CEO Mathieu Boucher said in an emailed statement.

“Results during the current Olympic cycle were not trending towards medal-winning potential. In addition, performances during competition and training did not indicate that these gaps were likely to be closed in time for the LA2028 Games."

Vancouver track cyclist Fiona Majendie considered not sharing her thoughts on social media but relented over the weekend.

“[It’s] not something I’m willing to stand for,” Majendie, an alternate on the women’s 2024 Olympic track cycling team in Paris, said in an Instagram post Saturday. “The Canadian women’s track [cycling] team is where 100 per cent of the Olympic medals have come from in the last 30 years.

“Since the [2024 Paris Summer Games] the women’s team [has] continued to outperform or [match] the performance of the men’s team.”

Boucher said Cycling Canada remains committed to the development of the women’s team pursuit program.

“We are taking deliberate steps to strengthen athlete development moving forward,”