Victoria Pendleton said she’d “love to be involved” at British Cycling if she was asked in the future, however doesn’t think she’d be given respect if she was at the organisation as it is currently.
>>> How British Cycling’s nightmare week unfolded
The two time Olympic gold medallist retired from racing in 2012 and has since switched to competing in horse racing, and will be working as a pundit for the BBC in Rio this August.
Pendleton has spoken out about the culture she experienced while an athlete on Team GB, in light of allegations of sexism at British Cycling and following Shane Sutton’s resignation as technical director last month. An independent review is currently being conducted into a culture of fear and bullying at the organisation.
“I would love to be involved [at British Cycling], of course I would love to be involved,” Pendleton told Cycling Weekly at the BBC’s launch for the Rio Games in London on Thursday.
“I’d want to be involved with a team and a system that I’d feel comfortable with. I wouldn’t be treated as an equal [now],” she continued. “I think I’d struggle to earn the respect.”
The 35-year-old recalled a meeting she had with former British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford when she was an athlete, and he asked her about her future plans in the sport.
Watch: Lizzie Armitstead - Road to Rio
“He asked me ‘where do you see yourself in I think five, 10 years time?’ And I said ‘in your chair Dave’ and smiled,” she explained. “He thought it was quite funny and I was like ‘well what do you want me to say? I’ve got to aim high’ — so I aimed at the top.
“Actually, Shane Sutton came at me after that saying ‘well I’ve stolen your chair now Vic’, not in a funny way, when I left the programme. I thought yeah, maybe not yet, maybe in the future.”
The former track cyclist said she did not believe the scrutiny BC is currently under will be having an impact on the riders’ preparations for Rio.
“As an athlete you’re so focussed on what you do, you’re so determined and driven with your own personal goals I don’t think it would really make a difference,” she said.
The BBC is bringing extensive coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics live from Rio. Beginning August 5th across TV, radio and on the BBC Sport website.
-
-
La Course 2021: All you need to know about the one-day race
The 2021 race will take place on the same roads as the men's opening stage finishing with a hilly course in Landerneau
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Who are the Americans riding the Tour de France 2021?
Just four riders from the US have been picked to take part in the race around France
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
New British Cycling campaign hopes to reinvigorate grassroots bike racing
The national governing body says that millions of adults are ready to start racing
By Alex Ballinger •
-
European Track Championships cancelled after ‘hijacking’ of Ryanair flight in Belarus
The European Championships were the last major event before the Tokyo Olympics
By Alex Ballinger •
-
British Cycling concerned about ‘substantial breach of privacy’ over Dame Sarah Storey’s backdated TUE for salbutamol
The governing body said it is worried about how the revelation could impact athletes who require medical treatment
By Alex Ballinger •
-
British Cycling joins social media boycott to protest online abuse towards athletes
British Cycling will join the upcoming social media boycott to protest the online abuse athletes face.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Richard Freeman permanently struck off over testosterone delivery
Richard Freeman has been permanently struck off after ordering a testosterone package delivered to British Cycling headquarters in 2011.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Cycling groups ask for urgent clarification over ‘stay local’ guidance during lockdown
Cycling groups have written to the government for urgent clarification over the ‘stay local’ guidance for exercise during the coronavirus lockdown.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Olympian’s father raised concerns about potential doping, Freeman tribunal hears
An Olympian’s father raised concerns about potential doping in 2013, the Freeman tribunal has heard.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
British Cycling launch initiative to help domestic riders bridge gap to UCI Continental level
Elite Development Team status will be launched in 2021
By Jonny Long •
