An unusual ruling by an arbitrator has resulted in Dylan Bibic being included on Canada’s team for the upcoming UCI Track Cycling World Championships, overturning a decision made by a national sports organization. Bibic, hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, holds the seventh spot globally in men’s track endurance cycling and had secured Canada’s spot at the world championships in the omnium event. However, he was initially left out of the team for the championships in Santiago, Chile, due to changes in the selection criteria made by Cycling Canada on December 16, 2024, which excluded 2024 track results from consideration.
Arbitrators typically refrain from directly making selection decisions but may intervene in urgent situations or when fairness is at stake. Bibic’s legal representatives stated that bias was identified in an urgent appeal, prompting the arbitrator to take action and make the selection decision herself. Bibic raised concerns with the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada on August 12, alleging that a cyclist ranked 135th was chosen over him following his safe-sport complaint against a member involved in the selection process.
Dr. Emir Crowne and Amanda Fowler, representing Bibic in the arbitration, expressed that the arbitrator’s decision was anticipated. They questioned the rationale behind selecting a cyclist ranked 135th over a globally seventh-ranked athlete and emphasized the importance of sending the best representatives for Canada.
Highlighting Bibic’s successful 2024 season, the arbitrator emphasized that his individual achievements, including winning the UCI Champions League, securing a bronze medal at the world championships, and clinching three Nations Cup gold medals, warranted his inclusion in the team. With the world championships commencing on October 22, the arbitrator directed Cycling Canada to include Bibic in the team without undergoing another selection process.
The arbitrator criticized Cycling Canada for failing to provide a clear rationale for its decisions and noted the absence of documentation explaining the treatment of the omnium event differently from other track cycling competitions. Sandhu, the arbitrator, emphasized the accumulation of circumstantial evidence leading to a reasonable perception of bias in the case.