Rana Reider is to be investigated by the US Center for SafeSport after several complaints of sexual misconduct were levelled against him. He is one of the world’s leading track and field coaches.
Reider earned the reputation after guiding several Olympic and world champions to glory. Among those include Tokyo 2020 Olympic 200m gold medallist Andre de Grasse and world triple jumper champion Christian Taylor.
The American trainer also trains Britain’s Adam Gemili and Daryll Neita. They are considered to be elite athletes.
US Center for SafeSport is an independent body that handles investigations and complaints into abuse and misconduct in Olympic sports.
According to a report by The Guardian, it was learned that allegations against the coach led to the UK Athletics warning Gemili and Neita to cut any contact whatsoever with Reider. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of the membership into the World Class Programme. A similar warning was issued to other British athletes who mulled moving to the US to train under Reider.
When contacted by the Guardian, Reider said he has no knowledge of the SafeSport investigation. He added that he had not been told of UK Athletics’ instruction to Gemili and Neita. “You can call my lawyer because this is news to me,” he added.
Reider’s lawyer, Ryan Stephens, said the allegations levelled against the coach were “unvetted” and “unproven”.
“SafeSport hasn’t issued a notice of allegations to Rana,” he told the Guardian. “The suspicious timing and motives attached to these unproven attacks on Rana’s reputation need to be fully investigated and vetted, and they haven’t been.”
In a statement, UKA told the Guardian: “As part of UK Athletics commitment to ensuring appropriate conduct is consistent across all areas without any exceptions, we completed additional due diligence where issues have been raised about the support personnel of UK athletes.”
Reider joined the UKA after London 2012. He worked with Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Dwain Chambers and Richard Kilty before leaving in 2014.
