British Cycling stands by Jess Varnish decision, report suggests

Jess Varnish will not be considered for selection for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, according to the Press Association, with British Cycling set to stand by its decision to drop her from the programme.

Varnish, 25, is at the heart of the sexism claims made against former BC technical director Shane Sutton, who is reported to have told the rider that she was too old and should "go and have a baby" when she was not offered a new contract on the Olympic programme.

The Press Association reports that Varnish visited Manchester this week to talk with new technical director Andy Harrison, but reportedly left without gaining her place back on the programme.

The sprinter hasn't given up on her hope of competing for Team GB in Rio, and there is nothing in the selection criteria precluding British Cycling from selecting a rider not on the Olympic programme.

“I still maintain that the decision not to renew my contract was not down to performance. Prior to the 2016 World Championships I was not once told that I was under-performing. We have monthly reviews and at no stage was I put under review, or set performance targets to keep my place on the programme," Varnish said in a statement on Tuesday (May 17).