A sports sociologist says too often athletes with concerns are bullied or silenced.

The findings of an enquiry into Cycling New Zealand will be released this afternoon.

It follows the suspected suicide of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore last August.

Waikato University's Holly Thorpe told Mike Hosking athletes need to feel safe about speaking up.

“The abuses of power from coaches and athletes, often there’s a gendered element to that.”

Thorpe says athletes need to feel they can speak up when there are issues.

“We don’t very often hear the voices of those who have concerns and vulnerabilities, because too often there’s a culture of bullying and silencing.”

LISTEN ABOVE