Shane Sutton has resigned his position as British Cycling technical director, here’s his statement in full and what the various riders said about him.
Having been besieged with allegations of sexism and bullying against women and using highly derogatory language to describe paracyclists, British Cycling’s technical director Shane Sutton has resigned from his post.
The Australian had been suspended by British Cycling, which launched an independent review into the allegations of sexism and bullying and claims he referred to paracyclists as wobblies and gimps.
But Sutton has now resigned, saying the controversy surrounding him had become a distraction.
In a statement he said: “Today starts the 100-day countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is absolutely crucial that, as our athletes begin their final preparations for Rio, they are able to do so free of distraction.
Advertisement
“The developments over the past few days have clearly become a distraction. It is for this reason, and having spoken to friends and family, that I believe it is in the best interests of British Cycling for me to step down from my position as technical director.
“It is important that the review announced by British Cycling and UK Sport now takes place, and I will obviously co-operate fully with this. I have made clear that I reject the specific claims that have been made against me in recent days, and I look forward to taking a full part in the review process so I can respond to the allegations in detail.
“Cycling is my passion and I have always worked to get the very best out of professional athletes. I am proud of what British Cycling has achieved and I am excited by the potential of the team for Rio. They will always have my full support.”
What the riders have said about Sutton
Kelvin Batey, the Irish BMX rider who is hopeful of riding the Olympics, today gave a number of interviews to BBC and ITV about his relationships with Sutton.
Those pieces were due for broadcast this evening. However, Batey had already taken to social media to say that Sutton had “nearly ruined” his life.
One of Britain’s top paracyclists Darren Kenny – who has won six Paralympic gold medals – is quoted in a report by the Daily Mail as saying he heard members of the Team GB paracycling line-up referred to in very derogatory terms by Sutton.
Related News
“The attitude towards them was abysmal,” Kenny told the newspaper.
“We were tolerated at best. The term used to refer to us was generally “gimps”, with another word in front of that.
“I know others had an issue as well with not being allowed on the track and not being given time to prepare for competitions.”
A source who was not named claimed Sutton would also refer to paracyclists as wobblies.
Jess Varnish had first alleged Sutton told her to “go away and have a baby” when she was dropped from the Olympic team.
She also claimed disparaging remarks were made about her body shape.
Gold medal winner at the Olympics and World Championships, Victoria Pendleton echoed those sentiments saying her opinion was never valued and that female riders did not get the same respect as men.
She also claimed the level of bullying in the organisation was suffocating, and former world champion Nicole Cooke has also joined in criticising the organisation’s approach to women.
The controversy, much of which has focussed on Sutton’s approach, is a nightmare for the organisation just months away from the Olympic Games.
Writing in The Guardian, Cooke said: “The team management told Varnish your performances are not good enough to make you a favourite for a medal anyway, with the implication public money should not be spent on giving her a holiday.
“Strangely, the men in charge never seem to see it this way when it comes to the men’s team.
“In 2008 when I won Olympic gold in Beijing, the day before, in the men’s road race, every single one of the four men riding for Team GB failed to finish.
“In 2006, Welsh Cycling sent me to defend my Commonwealth Games road race title as a team of one while fielding a full team of six male road riders. None of the six finished.”
Topics
