Sir Chris Hoy has paid tribute to Shane Sutton and called for British Cycling to pull together to support its riders in Rio.
Sutton stepped down from his role as technical director on Wednesday with 100 days to go until the Olympics following allegations he made sexist and discriminatory remarks towards cyclists. He denies the allegations.
Hoy has previously described Sutton as his mentor and worked closely with the Australian in winning his six Olympic gold medals.
Writing on his website, Hoy, now retired, did not comment on the allegations but welcomed the investigation that will be conducted by UK Sport and offered to contribute to it.
Hoy said: "I do want to pay tribute to Shane for what he's achieved for British Cycling and for me personally over the years. I have never met anyone who gave so much to their role within any team and who cared so much for the performance of the riders.
"Shane expected 100 per cent commitment from every member of the team regardless of their role and he led by example in that respect.
"As a coach, his uncompromising approach yielded unparalleled results for the GB team and his contribution to my career and the entire British Cycling success story was outstanding. For this, I would like to sincerely thank him."
Jess Varnish was the first to speak out about Sutton and her allegations of sexist comments have been followed by a steady stream of further revelations.
The airing of so much dirty laundry in public will have been painful for all those connected with British Cycling, and Hoy said: "With our best cyclists less than 100 days away from competing in the most important event of their careers, all those with something to say need to do so in the right environment and allow our fabulous riders to finish their Olympic and Paralympic preparations without this distraction.
"I think Andy Harrison will do a great job taking over the technical director role and leading the team in Rio. There is a magnificent support team of coaches and other personnel who provide their expertise and passion to allow the riders to get the best out of themselves.
"That team remains and I, for one, can't wait to proudly watch our Olympic and Paralympic riders representing Great Britain in Rio. Let's all get behind them."
Meanwhile, Olympic champion Dani King is hopeful this weekend's Tour de Yorkshire can change the conversation.
King, who won gold on the track in the women's team pursuit at London 2012, said she was not aware of any discrimination during her time with the team, but supports those who have spoken out.
She said: "I wasn't aware of it at all. I never thought I was treated any differently because I was a woman when I was part of British Cycling.
"[Sutton] was a no-nonsense kind of guy. I thought it was good because you always knew where you stood. He was one of the best motivators I ever came cross. I think he always knew what to say at the right time and gave you that belief come race day.
"Obviously it's horrible to hear [the allegations] and I don't know if the allegations are true or not. But it's horrible to hear a friend making those allegations and I support Jess that she has come and told of what could or could not have been said."
King hopes that the crisis does not have a detrimental effect on British Cycling so close to the Rio Games.
"I think the only thing that can be damaged is the motivating factor Shane brought on race day," she said. "Everything is already in place and under control in terms of the plans leading to Rio and hopefully the athletes won't be affected."
King's immediate focus is on riding for Wiggle High5 in the women's Tour de Yorkshire on Saturday -- a race that will offer the biggest prize fund to date in women's cycling, while also being screened live from start to finish.
"I think it's absolutely brilliant, and I feel proud the UK is leading the way in terms of having the same media coverage and the prize money," she said. "It's only going to have a positive impact going forward for women's cycling."