by Gillian McDade
In cycling, former world champion Wendy Houvenaghel from Upperlands has said the pursuit of ‘medals at any cost’ was behind the creation of a ‘culture of fear.’
Houvenaghel accused British Cycling of ageism, claiming that coaches had ‘zero regard’ for her welfare.
She won silver in the individual pursuit at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and gold in the World Championship team pursuit in 2008, 2009 and 2011.
She retired in 2014, after withdrawing from the Commonwealth Games.
Houvenaghel was left out of all three team pursuit races at the London Olympics.