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The coach of Canadian sprinting star Andre De Grasse is being investigated over sexual misconduct allegations, according to media reports.
Based in Florida, Rana Reider has coached the Olympic 200-metre gold medallist for the past couple of seasons, including through the 2019 world championships in Doha, where De Grasse won silver and bronze.
In a statement, Athletics Canada said it was made aware of the reports against the sprinting coach on Wednesday through an article in The Guardian newspaper.
“We immediately referred the matter to our independent Commissioner’s Office to investigate. The Commissioner’s Office has reached out to the U.S. SafeSport Agency,” said the sports organization, adding that it was waiting for further instruction from the commissioner.
In a statement regarding Reider, British Athletics said “that an investigation in the U.S. is imminent.”
The sports governing body said it has “informed U.K. athletes currently being coached by him to cease all association until the conclusion of this process.”
Coach credited with helping De Grasse
De Grasse’s management agency, Envision Sports & Entertainment, told CBC Sports that they had no comment on the reports.
The athletics coach has been credited with helping De Grasse make needed changes that have led to continued success for the athlete on the track.
CBC Sports has also reached out to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which oversees investigations into abuse in sport, to confirm if it has opened an investigation into Reider.
In a statement to The Globe and Mail, SafeSport said it “does not comment on matters to protect the integrity of the investigative process.”
‘Too early’ to assume complaints are valid, lawyer says
Meanwhile, CNN has reported that Reider’s attorney, Ryan Stevens, confirmed SafeSport has assigned an investigator “to perform interviews and other work” for the complaints.
In a statement to CBC News, Stevens confirmed Reider had not received notice of the allegations or evidence from the agency.
“That process has barely begun in this matter involving Rana. It’s patently unfair to Rana that his hard-earned reputation is being dragged through the mud before any due process or investigation,” he said.
“It’s far too early to assume, this day and age, that the fact of a complaint being made — especially if there are ulterior motives behind it — has any validity. A full and fair investigation must be completed, and it hasn’t been — not by SafeSport and not by British Athletics.”
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