Biathlon Alberta adds 'non-binary' category to upcoming race season
Alberta biathletes will have an additional choice to compete this year after the sport’s governing body voted to add a non-binary category to its registrations.
Biathlon, which combines Nordic skiing with rifle shooting, will allow athletes 17 and older to register to race as male, female or NB.
"I heard about athletes that left our sport since they didn't feel included," said Elmar Heger, general manager for Biathlon Alberta.
"And that was kind of what sparked the interest or the motivation to bring this up to the board."
The move is part of a broader inclusion initiative that also includes outreach through Indigenous organizations and adapted athletes.
"We want to be opening and welcoming to everyone and if there is a talent that would leave the sport simply because they don't feel included in our community that would obviously be very tragic," Heger said.
The announcement is being welcomed by some advocates.
"There are very much tangible ways to ensure that you're putting your ally-ship on display," said Anna Murphy, 2SLGBTQIA+ community advocate.
"For these kids, they will be able to see themselves within their community. They will be able to see themselves within their extra-curricular activities. These kids will be made to feel safe."
"There's not a lot of spaces for non-binary and gender-diverse individuals, especially in a sports setting," said Bane Hicks-Gallichan with Skipping Stone.
"To have this now, in this time specifically, is just … it’s very touching. And it brings a lot of joy to me."
Biathlon Canada says it has recently released a gender-inclusion policy. It does not include a separate non-binary category but says it is still working with athletes, coaches and gender-inclusion experts to continue to build out their policy.
The first race of the 2022-23 season is scheduled for Nov. 26 in Canmore. So far, organizers do not know if any athlete will register in the new non-binary category.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.