Controversy raging over Shane Sutton allegations follows heightening volatility hidden beneath British Olympic team’s successIn 2008 I began researching an account of the rise and rise of the British Olympic cycling team,which has been in the spotlight as never before with the resignation of the technical director, Shane Sutton, and after allegations of sexism,bullying and discriminatory remarks about members of the paralympic squad, which he strenuously denies. The foundations of the Medal Factory enjoy been rocked profoundly, and an inquiry into behaviours within the squad has been launched to report back in September.
The project,provisionally entitled Golden Dawn, was abandoned for reasons that now acquire some sense. The principal issue was that the Medal Factory story was not a straightforward tale of sporting rags to riches. It would be virtually impossible to simplify the narrative sufficiently to create a coherent book. The actual racing – the medals, or the near-misses,the rise of stars such as Sir Chris Hoy, Rebecca Romero, and Sir Bradley Wiggins and Victoria Pendleton – was easy to follow. The complexity lay in the level of interpersonal clash and grievance within the organisation.Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com