For the past week we have been following the case of elite female cyclist Kaya Cattouse who made a facebook stink about the cycling federation. Kaya alleged that the federation was discriminating against her and other female cyclists by excluding them from the upcoming Digicell Valentine's Tour. The vice president of the cycling federation told us yesterday that the entire matter was blown way out of proportion. Today he visited our offices where he hoped to set the record straight once and for all. He says it all started with the annual cycling calendar that was released to all cyclists in January 4th.
Orson Butler, VP, Belize Cycling Federation
"She went back to the same point again and explained why is it that they don't have for the female when the female cross country is before and I explained the same thing that I explained a little while to you just now, that the female competition doesn't have international competition. So the federation sees it best to have a tour for the elite, but at that same moment I explained to her they have an event later on the year for the female which is a tour. Because the federation is seeking a race to go internationally. So we believe it's going to be best to have the tour for female and juniors around that time. So that they are in better condition to face that type of competition. Well Kaya's response at that time was "well you know I have to write my thing on facebook." I told her be very careful of what you write and that was it."
A few likes and a couple of facebook shares, was all it took for the complaint to go viral. And, pretty soon, the Prime Minister's wife Kim Barrow - was taking a stand with Kaya.
But Butler insists that contrary to perception, the Federation does strive to develop women in cycling:
Orson Butler, VP - Belize Cycling Federation
"I'll be frank with you, I've been around cycling for 25 years and from ever since 1990 I believe when it was Solis rode the first cross country, we only had one female participation in one race and that's the Holy Saturday Cross Country. At this stage 2015, every race on the cycling federation calendar has a female event. So it cannot be female equality. It's just to me, I believe it's just rudeness - outright rudeness."
Emanuel Pech
"So where would the perception of gender base discrimination come from?"
Orson Butler, VP - Belize Cycling Federation
"Well to be honest, that's all make up. It can't be a gender base. If you check all the resources and all the sporting event in Belize, cycling is the only sport in Belize that has a female race every time there is a male or junior event on our calendar, being it's a classic or criterium. Once its run under the federation of Belize we have an event for the females."
According to the Federation's calendar of events, a country tour for the female and junior cyclists is set to take place from the 13th to the 15th of May. As for the warning letter issued to Kaya where she was threatened of a possible fine and suspension, we understand that the federation never followed up on that.
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