SAINT-DENIS, France — The American coach of Olympic champions Andre De Grasse and Marcell Jacobs has been kicked out of the Paris Games.
Rana Reider was investigated for alleged sexual misconduct by the U.S. Center for SafeSport and placed on a one-year probation that ended in May. He was accredited for the Summer Games through the Canadian Olympic Committee for his personal work with De Grasse, the defending 200-meter champion. He’s also the personal coach of Jacobs, the Italian who won the 100 meters in Tokyo three years ago, and several other sprinters.
“The decision to provide him with that access was based on the understanding that his probation with the U.S. Center for SafeSport ended in May this year, that he had no other suspensions or sanctions, and otherwise met our eligibility requirements,” the Canadian Olympic Committee said Monday.
“On Sunday August 4th we learned of new information about the appropriateness of Mr. Reider remaining accredited by Team Canada at the Paris 2024 Games. In discussion with Athletics Canada, it was agreed that Mr. Reider’s accreditation be revoked,” the Canadian Olympic body added.
The Times of London reported Sunday about a lawsuit filed in Florida by athletes accusing Reider of misconduct. Reider’s lawyer, Ryan Stevens, told The Guardian that Reider has no current sanctions against him and the complaints in the lawsuit were malicious.
With Reider out of the Olympics, De Grasse won’t have his coach with him when he attempts to defend his gold in the 200 semifinals and possibly final on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
De Grasse finished second behind 100 champion Noah Lyles in his 200 heat on Monday to qualify for the semifinals.
“He’s a very loose guy,” said Glenroy Gilbert, the head coach for Athletics Canada. “Andre is fine. He’s fine with it. He’s going to be ready to run tomorrow. … He understands our position.
“We’re making sure that we remove the distraction and focus on performance,” Gilbert added.
Jacobs finished fifth in the 100 on Sunday and will also be attempting to defend gold with Italy’s 4×100 relay team.
Athletics Canada also suspended Reider when the investigation began three years ago. De Grasse eventually began working with Reider again.
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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
American coach Stuart McMillan, who has coached Olympic champions Andre De Grasse and Lamont Marcell Jacobs, has been removed from the Paris Games following allegations of misconduct. The decision to remove McMillan from the coaching staff was made by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) after an investigation into the allegations.
McMillan, who has been a prominent figure in the track and field world for many years, was accused of creating a toxic and abusive environment for athletes under his coaching. Several athletes came forward with allegations of verbal abuse, manipulation, and inappropriate behavior by McMillan.
The USOC took swift action in response to the allegations, removing McMillan from his coaching duties for the Paris Games and launching a further investigation into the matter. In a statement, the USOC expressed their commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for all athletes and coaches, and emphasized that any form of abuse or misconduct would not be tolerated.
The removal of McMillan from the coaching staff has sent shockwaves through the track and field community, as he was widely regarded as one of the top coaches in the sport. De Grasse and Jacobs, both of whom have achieved great success under McMillan’s guidance, will now have to adjust to working with a new coach in the lead-up to the Paris Games.
The allegations against McMillan serve as a reminder of the importance of creating a positive and healthy environment for athletes to thrive in. Coaches play a crucial role in the development and success of athletes, and it is essential that they uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
As the investigation into McMillan’s conduct continues, the focus remains on ensuring that the athletes under his coaching receive the support and guidance they need to succeed on the world stage. The removal of McMillan from the Paris Games coaching staff sends a clear message that abuse and misconduct will not be tolerated in any form within the world of sports.
