Just days after becoming embroiled in a potentially damaging sexism row, British Cycling is now investigating further allegations of discrimination from within the organization.
British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton has been suspended pending a formal investigation, amid claims made in a Daily Mail report that he referred to British Paralympic cyclists as “gimps.”
British track cyclist Jess Varnish had previously said that Sutton made sexist comments towards her and told her she was “too old” and to “go and have a baby” after she was dropped from the Olympic squad.
“We are announcing technical director Shane Sutton has been suspended pending an internal investigation into the allegations of discrimination that have been reported in the press,” read a British Cycling statement released Wednesday.
Darren Kenny, one of Britain’s most successful Paralympic cyclists, told the Daily Mail he had heard Sutton using discriminatory terms when referring to the British disability team.
“The term used to refer to us was generally ‘gimps,’ with another word in front of that,” Kenny said. “The attitude towards them was abysmal. We were tolerated at best.
“I know others had an issue as well with not being allowed on the track and not being given time to prepare for competitions,” he added.
Independent review
Last week British Cycling said it would be looking into the comments made by Varnish, who claims she was subjected to the “go and have a baby remark” in a conversation with Sutton and head coach Iain Dyer after missing out on a place in the 2016 Olympics.
And the organization will put into place an independent review, in line with UK Sport, which will look at its “performance programs” following the fresh allegations of discrimination.
“We are fully committed to the principles and active promotion of equality of opportunity and we must take any such allegations seriously,” British Cycling added in its statement. “The terms of the review will be announced in due course and no further comment will be made at this stage.”
Sutton “wholeheartedly” denies Varnish’s claims and says he only acted with complete professionalism towards her.
He was not immediately available for comment after a request from CNN following the latest allegations.
Sutton is currently set to oversee Great Britain’s campaign at the Rio Olympics, which start on August 5, although it remains to be seen if British Cycling’s investigation will be completed by then.
The 58-year-old Australian has been with British Cycling since 2002, when he was first appointed as a coach, and has worked with the likes of Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Bradley Wiggins.
He helped the team to seven track gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, before being made technical director in 2014.
Varnish says she remains keen ride for GB again.
“For now I remain open to sharing my experiences with both British Cycling and/or UK Sport, and will happily engage with any investigations into the comments that Shane Sutton has made to me, and other riders,” she said in a statement Tuesday.
“I would prefer to do this privately, however to date this hasn’t been an option. I am not too old. I am not a waste of UK Sport’s money. I can win more medals.”