Jess Varnish sues British Cycling
Sprinter to take BC to court over loss of earnings
Former Olympic track sprinter Jess Varnish is suing British Cycling and UK Sport for hundreds of thousands of pounds over their decision to drop her from the sport’s elite programme.
Varnish was dropped from the Olympic programme in April last year ahead of the Rio Olympics and subsequently made a complaint of sexist treatment by then performance director Shane Sutton, which was partly upheld.
Cycling Weekly reported in March this year that Varnish was considering legal action.
An independent report into the culture of BC’S Olympic programme, published in June, found that Varnish’s removal “did not follow contractual due process” and was at times “poorly” handled. It also found that Varnish was viewed as a “ringleader” of criticism of the organisation by some members of BC staff. At that time Varnish told the Times: “I am insulted. In a way I’m glad they have used this language because it shows what the people are like in there [British Cycling].”
Now Cycling Weekly understands the sprinter is suing both British Cycling and UK Sport, claiming that her removal was not handled correctly and that she has lost out on hundreds of thousands of pounds in lost income.
As part of Varnish’s claim she is arguing that she should have been treated like a member of staff and was unfairly dismissed. Athletes at British Cycling are not contracted to BC and receive funding as a grant directly from UK Sport.
If Varnish is successful in arguing she was an employee of BC it could have major implications for the right of all riders at BC and possibly within other sports too. It could also make it more difficult for the governing body to drop riders from its development programmes.
However, it could also mean their lottery grant funding from UK Sport could be taxed at 20 per cent.
A preliminary hearing in the case is set to take place in November this year.
A spokesperson for British Cycling said: “We are in dialogue with Jess, discussions have been positive and constructive and we look forward to reaching a resolution which all parties will regard as equitable.”
UK Sport declined to comment.