THE British cycling team is in turmoil ahead of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after the sport’s local governing body suspended its long-time coach for allegedly making discriminatory remarks to riders.

    British Cycling said Wednesday in a statement that technical director Shane Sutton is the subject of an investigation because of “allegations of discrimination that have been reported in the press.”

    Female cyclist Jess Varnish said last week in British newspaper The Daily Mail that Sutton made derogatory comments about her body shape and told her to “move on and have a baby” after she failed to qualify for this year’s Olympics.

    In the same newspaper Tuesday, para-cyclist Darren Kenny said he heard Sutton refer to members of the disability team in derogatory terms.

    “We are fully committed to the principles and active promotion of equality of opportunity,” British Cycling said, “and we must take any such allegations seriously.”

    The body has already announced it will be undertaking an independent review into its performance programs.

    Sutton, a 58-year-old Australian, is a respected coach who has been with the Britain squad since 2002. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in her honors list in 2010.

    Under Sutton, Britain topped the cycling medal standings at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing after winning 14 medals. Britain won 12 medals in cycling at the London Olympics in 2012.

    Speaking before his suspension was announced, Sutton denied making the comments about Varnish. “I’m embracing the opportunity to sit in front of the panel and give my view because I don’t think I’ve been heard properly from Day 1 of this,” Sutton told The Times newspaper.

    (SD-Agencies)