Inga Thompson

Last updated

Inga Thompson
Inga Thompson 1988b.jpg
Thompson winning the road race at the 1988 Olympic trials
Personal information
Born (1964-01-27) January 27, 1964 (age 60)
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. [1]
Height178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight61 kg (134 lb)
Team information
Current teamRetired
RoleRider
Medal record
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
UCI Road World Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1987 Villach Team time trial
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1990 Utsunomiua Team time trial
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1991 Stuttgart Road race
Pan American Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1987 Indianapolis Road race

Kristin Inga Thompson (born January 27, 1964) is a retired road bicycle racer. She competed at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics with the best result of eighth place in 1988. [2] She won silver medals at the world championships in 1987, 1990 and 1991, and placed third at the Tour de France in 1986 and 1989. [3] Nationally she won United States National Road Race Championships in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1993. [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Inga Thompson was inducted into the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in 2014. [7]

Activism

In 2019 Thompson obtained the signatures of over 80 Olympians on a petition to the IOC to limit women's categories to cisgender women. She maintains that women's voices have been silenced. Thompson continues her work with Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Alison Sydor, Martina Navratilova, Sharron Davies, and many prominent women athletes to advocate for categories separated by sex. [8]

Also in 2019 Thompson was interviewed for an article opposing participation of transgender women in women's cycling events, and instead advocating for a separate transgender category. [9] This prompted an outcry from members of the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association who called for her removal from the organization's board of directors, as her statements did not align with the policies of the organization. [10] While the board initially voted to retain her as a board member, she resigned 3 days later. [11]

The UCI has ruled in July 2023 [12] that transgender people are not allowed to race in elite women's fields. Ms Thompson reported Chris Gutowsky, owner of Cynisca for athlete abuse. He retaliated by claiming “Ms. Thompson is entitled to her opinions and advocacy, but her methods and personal attacks are inconsistent with Cynisca’s mission to advance opportunities for women. Those methods, well-documented on Ms. Thompson’s social media presence, include dehumanization of transgender people, spreading misinformation, demagoguery, and personal attacks on anyone who opposes her views,” the team said. [13] Safe Sport issued sanctions against Chris Gutowsky for harassment of Ms Thompson. Cynisca has since folded.

Major results

1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993

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References

  1. "Inga Thompson Olympic Results". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on July 20, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  2. "All-Time Olympic Results". USA Cycling. Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
  3. "Road World Championships Results". USA Cycling.
  4. Inga Thompson-Benedict. cyclingarchives.com
  5. "A Time Of Trials". [sports illustrated]. June 29, 1992. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
  6. Mallozzi, Vincent M. (December 26, 1993). "THE YEAR IN REVIEW – 1993; The Year's Champions". [NY Times]. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
  7. "Inga Thompson". U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  8. "About Us". Women's Sports Policy Working Group. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  9. "Male Athletes Are Taking Over Women's Cycling". Save Women's Sports. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  10. Herron, Elise (December 10, 2019). "Oregon Bicycling Racing Association Stands By Board Member Who Criticized Transgender Athletes Participating in the Sport". Willamette Week. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  11. Herron, Elise (December 12, 2019). "Oregon Bicycling Racing Association Reverses Course, Asks Controversial Board Member to Resign". Willamette Week. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  12. "The UCI adapts its rules on the participation of transgender athletes in international competitions".
  13. "Ex-Pro Inga Thompson No Longer on Women's Cycling Team Board After Anti-Trans Comments". May 11, 2023.
  14. "Thompson wins Ore-Ida". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). July 9, 1990. p. 2B.
  15. "Thompson wins Ore-Ida race". Idahonian. (Moscow). Associated Press. July 9, 1990. p. 3B.