The couple initially protested by trying to stand behind the podium during the ceremony while carrying the England flag, but were moved by security officials. They then borrowed the bronze medals of England teammates Laura Kenny and Josie Knight – who had just finished third in the women’s team pursuit – and posed for a photo on the podium.
Cycling’s world governing body, the UCI, said the 200 Swiss franc fine, which was also issued to England cycling team manager Keith Reynolds, was for “not complying with the steward’s instructions/ organizer”. Team England are understood to be discussing the chain of events with the Commonwealth Games Federation and want the medal decision overturned.
It is also understood that the issue was an item on the agenda at a CGF Council meeting yesterday [Sat].
A CGF spokesman said: “In the small number of cases where there are fewer than five entries in a Commonwealth Games event, the CGF applies a medal allocation policy to maintain the integrity of the competition.
“Unfortunately, while the Women’s Tandem B athletes were informed of this prior to the race, the scoreboard and results sheet incorrectly indicated that this was a bronze medal race. We apologize to the athletes involved for the inadvertent distress this has caused.”