A renowned US sprint coach who is under investigation for sexual misconduct has been cautioned by police in Eugene after allegedly gaining unauthorised access to the athlete warm-up area before the world 100m final on Saturday night.
Rana Reider, the coach of British 200m star Adam Gemili, had allegedly successfully managed to gain access to Hayward Field in an attempt to help his four of his sprinters in the men’s 100m, including the eventual silver and bronze medallists Marvin Bracy and Trayvon Brommell – despite having his accreditation blocked by World Athletics due to the allegations against him.
However Reider was spotted by others who called the security. When he refused the police then intervened and apprehended the American. They also advised him that if he returned he would be arrested for trespassing. When the Guardian notified World Athletics they then confirmed the story.
“Event security discovered a unaccredited person in the athlete warm up area,” World Athletics said. “He was asked to leave, and he refused. Police were immediately notified and went to remove him from the venue.
“When he observed police officers approaching him, he left the venue. Outside the venue, he was stopped by police and advised that if he returned to the venue he would be arrested for trespassing.”
Reider had earned a glittering reputation in the sport after guiding several Olympic and world champions to glory, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic 200m gold medallist Andre de Grasse from his Florida-based Tumbleweed Track Club.
However, as the Guardian first revealed last year, the American’s behaviour off the track is now being scrutinised by the US Centre for SafeSport organisation, a powerful and independent body that handles investigations and complaints into abuse and misconduct in Olympic sports.
After the story broke, UK Athletics warned Gemili to cease contact with their coach – or else his membership into the World Class Programme, including lottery funding, would be suspended. However he has continued to stand by his coach.
Reider denies any wrongdoing through his lawyer, Ryan Stevens, who says the allegations against his client are “unvetted” and “unproven”.
The Guardian has approached Reider to ask for a comment about the events in the warm-up area.
