British Cycling has said it has dismissed one of its leading coaches, Kevin Stewart, after an inquiry into the nature of his relationships with some riders.
The inquiry found no evidence of any physical relationship with any rider but concluded the nature of the relationships with some cyclists was “inappropriate”.
Stewart, who was
one of the key behind the scenes figures for the British track sprinters as they
work towards achieving more Olympic success in Tokyo next year, has said he
accepts some of his actions were not acceptable.
“I wholeheartedly apologise to the team for my actions,
which I acknowledge were not
acceptable,” he said in a British Cycling statement released today.
“I
realised my actions had made my position on the team untenable and had handed
in my resignation before being dismissed while on my notice period.”
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In its statement, British Cycling said it had “taken the decision to dismiss Kevin Stewart”, a ‘podium sprint coach’,
on the grounds of “gross
misconduct following repeated warnings that his behaviours fell short of the
values and standards expected by the
Great Britain cycling team”.
It listed four areas
in which it said “gross misconduct” was committed including: long term
pattern of inappropriate relationships
with riders; failing to follow
specific direction of the performance director in regard to relationship
with riders and professional boundaries;
inappropriate use of electronic communication; actions bringing British Cycling into disrepute.
However, the
British Cycling statement clearly stated there was no evidence of any physical
relationship between Kevin Stewart and any rider.
Performance director
for British Cycling, Stephen
Park, said the inquiry and dismissal was evidence of
the standards expected at British Cycling.
“While this has been uncomfortable for everybody
concerned, it demonstrates the robustness of the processes we have in place when concerns are raised,” he said.
“The Great
Britain cycling team has a clear set of expected behaviours and values
and we must hold ourselves and each other to account when we do not meet the
standards of behaviour we set as a team.”
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