Former track sprinter Jess Varnish loses appeal in British Cycling case
Varnish has been embroiled in a year-long legal battle to try and sue British Cycling and UK Sport

The former track sprinter Jess Varnish has lost her appeal in her case against British Cycling.
Varnish had taken British Cycling and UK Sport to an employment tribunal in the hopes of proving she was an employee of the organisations, to then sue them.
The 29-year-old wanted to see governing body BC and funding agency UK Sport for wrongful dismissal and sexual discrimination.
In January Varnish lost her employment tribunal after the judge ruled in favour British Cycling and UK Sport, prompting her to launch an appeal.
On Tuesday (July 14) judge Mr Justice Choudhury ruled in favour of British Cycling once again, saying the original tribunal "had not erred in its approach to the assessment of employee status.”
Varnish had claimed British Cycling had “extreme control” over her and other athletes and that she was discriminated against by former coach Shane Sutton.
She was pulled from the elite track programme in April 2016, shortly before she made the public allegations of discrimination by Sutton.
Sutton denied the allegations but an internal investigation upheld that he used “inappropriate and discriminatory language” towards Varnish.
The full investigation has not been published, but it later emerged that only one of nine complaints against Sutton was upheld.
He resigned from his post in 2016 and later took up a role with the Chinese national track squad.
At the employment tribunal, both BC and UK Sport claimed that national lottery funding awarded to Olympic athletes – which can be as much as £28,000 tax-free per annum – was similar to a university grant and therefore its athletes were not afforded the same employment right, a view that has been backed by the two judges.
British Cycling has responded to the appeal decision, saying that since Varnish raised concerns there have been “significant changes” to the culture in the high-performance programme.”
A spokesperson for BC said: “We believe that British Cycling’s relationship with riders who represent this country is not one of employer-employee but that of an organisation supporting dedicated athletes to fulfil their potential.
“We had tried to reach a resolution with Jess much sooner, so we regret she was advised to pursue the route of an employment tribunal when other avenues were open to her. Because of our responsibility to represent the best interests of every rider who hopes to compete at an Olympics or Paralympics, that decision meant we had no option but to oppose her case.”
>>> Investigation launched as elderly man dies after being hit by a bicycle
The spokesperson added: “Since Jess raised her concerns about the Great Britain Cycling Team in 2016, we have implemented significant changes to the culture and processes of our high-performance programme. Four years on, and while we are always seeking to improve, we are happy to say that the well-being of staff and riders in our high-performance programme continues to be our highest priority.”
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Tadej Pogačar returns to open road training just one month before Tour de France
UAE Team Emirates rider has linked up with teammates at training camp in the Sierra Nevada
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Primož Roglič's pink Cervélo and the other jersey winners' bikes from the Giro d'Italia 2023
We take a look at three of the stunning custom paint jobs that rolled around Rome this Sunday.
By Joe Baker • Published
-
British Cycling to cut back under-23 squad road programme, targets two events
National federation cites ‘incredibly challenging financial landscape’
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
British Cycling CEO says ‘fairness’ is the key driver for new transgender policy
According to Jon Dutton, ‘fairness’ key driving factor in competitive policy whereas ‘inclusivity’ the key principle in non-competitive policy
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘This is a violent act’ - Emily Bridges slams British Cycling's trans policy banning her from women's competition
New policy issued by national governing body will prevent Bridges from racing in the women's category at BC races
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
British Cycling blocks transgender riders from competing in female category
New guidelines on the participation of transgender and non-binary athletes have been released by the national governing body after a nine month review process
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
CW Live: Remco Evenepoel wins opening Giro d'Italia time trial; Stage winner confusion at La Vuelta Femenina; Lance Armstrong is sent to Mars; British cycling legend Tony Doyle dies
All the latest cycling news, plus updates from stage one of the Giro d'Italia
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
British Cycling reportedly considering ban on transgender riders in elite female races
The governing body's new guidelines are due to be announced within the next month
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
British Cycling launches Travel Club for members with Sportive Breaks
Cycling's governing body in the UK partners with travel specialists Sportive Breaks to give members offers on gran fondo and cyclo-sportive events
By Adam Becket • Published
-
British Cycling appoints former Rugby League World Cup head Jon Dutton as new CEO
Dutton will replace acting CEO Danielle Every, who replaced former head Brian Facer in October
By Adam Becket • Published