Although there have been whispers about the outcome of the appeal to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal after the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada’s (SDRCC) decision after the women’s team pursuit squad program was dropped for the upcoming worlds in October, it’s now official. The SDRCC rejected the athletes’ appeal on Aug. 10 as was made public on Thursday.
Next steps for the Canadian athletes
As reported by Canadian Press, the Canadian track riders are now taking their fight for a women’s team pursuit entry at this year’s world championships to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. This was following the rejection of the appeal.
The appeal followed after the news that Cycling Canada was planning to send a men’s pursuit team to the worlds in Shanghai, but not a women’s squad.
Cycling Canada’s initial email
In an email, Cycling Canada told athletes and coaches the news, citing performance projections and budget constraints.
“Given the outcome of the review and current budgetary constraints faced by Cycling Canada, it was established that a women’s team pursuit should not be sent to 2026 world championships. Resources will instead be directed toward individual events and team pursuit development initiatives within the Women Track Endurance Program,” the email read. “As Cycling Canada focuses on team pursuit development, we will continue to pursue the qualification for the women’s omnium and madison at the 2028 L.A. Olympic Games. This will include support of athletes at the necessary events to qualify.”
The appeal
Following that, Skyler Goudswaard, Fiona Majendie, Jenna Nestman, Lily Plante and Justine Thomas, who were represented by Amanda Fowler and Dr. Emir Crowne, launched the appeal. In 2012 and 2016, the women’s team pursuit snagged bronze at the Olympics.
“As reflected in public reporting, the athletes received no meaningful notice before an entire program was cut, eliminating a critical Olympic pathway,” Fowler and Dr. Crowne said in a joint statement.
Now, the athletes are asking the Human Rights Tribunal for an interim order requiring Cycling Canada to send a TP squad to Shanghai. The registration deadline is exactly a month away, Sept. 21.
In their filing, the cyclists said missing the event would mean they “will permanently lose the ranking points available at the first Olympic qualifying event.” It was also an important part of the training and competition pathway toward the 2028 Games.
Women’s team pursuit rider on program cut: ‘I am left feeling helpless’
The organization previously said its decision to send a men’s team but not a women’s team was based on performance data showing the men were closer to reaching the world’s top six, as well as budget constraints. In the aftermath of the decision, two Cycling Canada board members also resigned.
Arbitrator Carol Roberts said she could not conclude that Cycling Canada’s decision was “unreasonable or inequitable.” She also said that it was consistent with the federation’s “published criteria and objectives.”
Team Canada is currently at the junior world track championships in Belgium. Racing began on Tuesday and runs to Sunday. The Canadian women’s team qualified second behind Britain in the qualifiers, breaking the Canadian record. Eight teams went on, with Canada placing fourth. On that team are Alexandra Fangeat and Eve Buczkowski, who both broke the world record for individual pursuit in April 2025. At last year’s track worlds, Fangeat also took bronze in the IP.
Canadian Cycling Magazine has reached out to Cycling Canada and some of the riders involved for additional comment.