British Cycling CEO Ian Drake has confirmed that he will stand down in April after seven years at the helm of an organization "lauded for marrying medal success to participation growth but that is now mired in controversy," according to Owen Gibson of the London GUARDIAN. It is understood Drake decided at the end of last year that he would leave the governing body, for which he has worked since '98, following the Rio Olympic cycle "if he could also secure a sponsor to replace Sky and win the bid to host the 2019 road world championships." He said, "Some time ago I made the decision that the Rio Games would be my last as CEO of British Cycling. I believe that the end of this Olympic cycle is the natural moment for a new CEO to take the organization forward into the Tokyo Games and beyond." It was announced last month that HSBC "would take over from Sky as the headline sponsor" of British Cycling's participation program (GUARDIAN, 10/21). In London, Murad Ahmed reported Drake’s decision "comes at a critical juncture for the group." British Cycling is without a performance director following the departure of Shane Sutton, the Australian coach "who has been accused of bullying by some cyclists." Sutton "strongly denies the allegations that are the subject of an internal review." The group is also "linked to the controversy that has engulfed Team Sky, the professional road racing group that grew out of British Cycling and shares the same headquarters." There has been criticism from some within the sport for Team Sky’s use of Therapeutic Use Exemptions, "through which athletes can take banned substances for medical reasons and with the approval of sporting authorities" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 10/21). The BBC reported during Drake's time in charge, "track cycling has overtaken rowing as the nation's most successful Olympic sport." Britain won 20 of the 30 Gold Medals available in the sport over the past three Games. Participation in cycling has "also increased dramatically, with the sport now behind only swimming and athletics in terms of popularity" (BBC, 10/21).
