Vancouver cyclist speaks out after Olympic aspirations crushed by program cut

A Vancouver-based track cyclist is speaking out after she and her teammates were blindsided by a Cycling Canada announcement that it is not sending a women's team pursuit squad to this year's world championships.

Fiona Majendie said the decision means the five women who make up the core of the team now have no chance of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

"It was a bit of a shock, to be honest with you," said Majendie, a member of Canada's team pursuit that finished eighth at the Paris Olympics two years ago.

"I think as an athlete you're always searching for selection and bettering of yourself and your team, but you never really think your program's going to be just cut."

The announcement came in an email last week from national team coach Phil Abbott who cited "current budgetary constraints" and a determination that it was "unlikely" the women would reach performance objectives at the 2026 world championships in Shanghai this October. 

Olympic cyclist "shocked" by cut to program

The Canadian men's team pursuit is unaffected and will compete in Shanghai.

The decision has sparked backlash on social media, including retired Canadian road cycling and speed skating Olympian Clara Hughes, who called it "a massive bummer."

"Not necessary and inexcusable. Shame on Cycling Canada for this," said Hughes, who won Olympic medals in cycling and long track speed skating.

In an interview with CBC News, Cycling Canada CEO Mathieu Boucher said the decision not to compete in women's team pursuit at the world championships is strategic.

"This was not a decision made based on funding. This was a decision made based on the performance and competitiveness of the team, and the need for us to re-shift our focus where we can