British Cycling, "which has been rocked by allegations around bullying and doping over the past year, has made a fresh start with its leadership team with the hire of a new Olympic head," according to Murad Ahmed of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Stephen Park, the Royal Yachting Association's Olympic manager, was announced as British Cycling's new performance director on Friday. He replaces Dave Brailsford, "the man credited with turning the Manchester-based organisation that runs British elite cycling into a 'medal factory.'" Park has led Britain's Olympic sailing program for the past 15 years, amassing 23 Olympic and Paralympic medals with the country's sailors. However, he has not previously worked in a role in cycling. Park said, "Clearly cycling poses very different challenges to sailing, but it's a sport I am very passionate about from a personal perspective." Park takes the role at a "critical juncture" for the organization. It has been a "tumultuous" year in which its cyclists won 12 medals at this year's Olympic Games "but became bogged down by a series of scandals off the track" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 12/23).
CULTURE OF FEAR: The BBC reported former senior coach Ken Matheson said that a "culture of fear and favour is endemic" within British Cycling. Matheson, 71, said that he suffered a nervous breakdown and "seriously contemplated suicide." A British Cycling spokesperson said evidence for the independent review into the culture of its World Class Programme had been "sought and welcomed from a wide range of sources," but added it would be "inappropriate to comment" until the full review is published. Although Matheson said he signed a confidentiality agreement on leaving, he tweeted on Wednesday, "I'm talking now -- and sod the gagging clause!" Matheson said he was "bullied" into leaving British Cycling, and "his solicitor advised him not to accept the terms he was offered" (BBC, 12/23).
