USA Cycling rebukes former national team rider after social media posts celebrating Charlie Kirk’s killing

USA Cycling issued a terse response Friday after an American transgender BMX rider posted social media messages appearing to celebrate the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday while appearing at a Q&A event at Utah Valley University. Authorities later identified and took a suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, into custody; Robinson now faces aggravated murder and related charges, according to law enforcement. In the wake of the shooting, Chelsea Wolfe — who qualified as an alternate for the U.S. women’s BMX team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 — shared a series of Instagram stories that praised or celebrated Kirk’s death.

In a statement posted publicly, USA Cycling said: "The views of current and former national team athletes are their own and do not reflect those of USA Cycling. Chelsea Wolfe has not been a member of the USA Cycling National Team or a member of USA Cycling since 2023." The organization did not elaborate further on disciplinary steps.

Screenshots and descriptions circulated online show Wolfe sharing an expired USA Today report about the killing with an overlaid caption reading, "We did it!" In another story captured and reposted by news outlets, Wolfe posted a selfie giving a thumbs-up with the caption: "Being a Nazi is completely optional btw. He didn't have to do all that, but he did and now he's dead. Don't live your life in a way that the world is better following your death." Wolfe also reshared longer posts that described Kirk as "a fascist organizer who built his career spreading racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and anti-immigrant hate."

Wolfe became a high-profile figure in U.S. cycling when she qualified as an alternate for the Tokyo Games, making her the first openly transgender athlete to qualify for a U.S. Olympic cycling team. She had competed in BMX events as an amateur after undergoing a gender transition and rose to prominence in freestyle BMX. Her international competitive career was effectively curtailed in 2023 after the Union Cycliste Internationale implemented new rules that barred transgender athletes from women’s competition.

Wolfe has previously drawn controversy for provocative social-media posts. In March 2020, she wrote in a Facebook post about wanting to burn an American flag at the Tokyo Olympics; that comment resurfaced in coverage of her recent posts.

The shooting at Utah Valley University rattled national political and athletic figures alike. Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of the nonprofit Turning Point USA, was shot while speaking to students. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said family members provided information that helped investigators identify and locate the suspect. Authorities said Robinson was taken into custody Thursday night after a family member or family friend reported that he had confessed or implied involvement; prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted.

Robinson is charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice, according to a probable-cause affidavit filed by prosecutors. Investigators have not publicly established a motive for the shooting.

Reactions on social media to Wolfe’s posts included criticism from sports figures. Tennis Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova described the posts as "sickening." Other athletes and public figures condemned the killing itself and called for restraint in public commentary while the investigation proceeds.

Kirk’s family has been identified in media reports as his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two young children. Law enforcement officials said images of a gray Dodge Challenger and online communications pointed investigators toward Robinson; investigators also reviewed messages and posts on platforms including Discord.

USA Cycling’s statement focused on the organizational separation from Wolfe, noting she has not been a member since 2023. The federation did not specify whether it would pursue further action regarding her past involvement with national-team activities.

The case remains under active investigation. Prosecutors continue to review evidence and planned filings related to the charges against Robinson, while family members and campus officials have said they are cooperating with law enforcement and offering support to those affected by the shooting.