An unusual move by an arbitrator has led to the reversal of a national sports organization’s decision regarding team selection, resulting in Dylan Bibic being added to Canada’s roster for the upcoming UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Bibic, hailing from Mississauga, Ont., holds the seventh spot globally in men’s track endurance cycling and secured Canada’s spot in the omnium event for the world championships. Despite this, he was initially left out of the team for the championships in Santiago, Chile.
The exclusion of the 22-year-old cyclist came after Cycling Canada altered the criteria for participation in the omnium event by disregarding 2024 track results starting on December 16, 2024. The omnium, known as a comprehensive endurance event in track cycling, was the focal point of the issue.
In a joint statement on Monday, Bibic’s legal representatives highlighted that arbitrators typically avoid intervening in selection matters unless urgency or fairness concerns arise. The decision to intervene was motivated by perceived bias in the urgent appeal, prompting the arbitrator to step in and make the selection herself.
Following a complaint lodged by Bibic on August 12 with the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada, it was revealed that a cyclist ranked 135th was chosen over him, allegedly due to a safe-sport complaint he had raised against an individual involved in the team selection process.
Represented by Dr. Emir Crowne and Amanda Fowler in the SDRCC arbitration, Bibic’s legal team expressed expectations of the arbitrator’s ruling. They questioned Cycling Canada’s decision to favor a cyclist ranked 135th over Bibic, who holds the seventh spot globally. They emphasized the importance of sending the best athletes to represent Canada.
The arbitrator highlighted that Canada’s position in the omnium was secured through Bibic’s individual achievements and rankings, which included his stellar performances in 2024. His successes that year included winning the UCI Champions League, securing a bronze medal at the world championships, and clinching three Nations Cup gold medals, including a victory in the omnium event.
Given the impending start of the track cycling world championships on October 22, arbitrator Praveen Sandhu ruled that Cycling Canada must include Bibic in its team without requiring a repeat of the selection process. Sandhu critiqued Cycling Canada for failing to provide a clear rationale in its submissions and failing to explain its actions in good faith.
Sandhu remarked on the rarity of athletes having direct evidence of bias but noted that cumulative circumstantial evidence could lead to a reasonable perception of bias. In this case, she deemed the perception of bias as reasonable. Additionally, Sandhu pointed out the absence of meeting minutes or notes from Cycling Canada to justify its decision to treat the omnium differently from other track cycling events.