British Cycling independent review: The key protagonists

The independent review into the culture of British Cycling's world-class performance programme, jointly commissioned by UK Sport and the national governing body, was published on Wednesday.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at the main protagonists.

:: Shane Sutton

The Australian was promoted from head coach to technical director in April 2014, sharing performance responsibility with programmes manager Andy Harrison. But Sutton's expertise and dominant personality swiftly saw him become top dog. Few questioned his coaching ability and track record of success. Many pondered if he was right for the most senior role.

:: Annamarie Phelps

The chair of British Rowing and vice-chair of the British Paralympic Association - more recently elected to the board of the British Olympic Association - was named as the review's head days after it was announced. That was despite British Rowing having 'bullying' allegations of its own to contend with. Former England rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster was also appointed to the five-person panel.

:: Jess Varnish

The former Track World Championship medal-winning sprinter expressed frustration at missing out on qualification for the Rio Olympics. Sutton promised there would be no reprisals for her criticisms of the coaching regime, and it later emerged she and Katy Marchant were the only athletes to wear full Olympic kit prior to Rio - giving them the best chances to qualify. Varnish refused to accept being dropped for 'performance reasons' and laid out a series of allegations against Sutton, which he continues to deny.

:: Sir Dave Brailsford

The British Cycling performance director from 2003 to April 2014, much of the alleged discrimination occurred on Brailsford's watch. The latter part of his tenure saw him juggling two jobs, the second as Team Sky principal. Brailsford insists he is demanding and uncompromising when it comes to performance. But he has always denied discrimination, insisting British Cycling was "medallist not sexist".

:: Jonathan Browning

Elevated to British Cycling chair in February 2017 in place of president Bob Howden, Browning was a non-executive member of the board from March 2015. He is a former president and chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America and managing director of Jaguar Cars. Volkswagen endured its own crisis over fuel emissions in 2015. Browning is a keen amateur cyclist.

:: Liz Nicholl

The chief executive of UK Sport, the distributor of Lottery and exchequer funds to Olympic and Paralympic sports, has had to combat criticism over a lack of oversight, ignoring warnings and being concerned about medals above all else, including athlete welfare.