Rana Reider stripped of Olympics accreditation amid abuse claims
Rana Reider, an American athletics coach, lost his accreditations at the Olympic Games due to allegations of sexual and emotional abuse. According to "The Guardian," this decision was driven by concerns for the safety of the athletes.
5:11 PM EDT, August 6, 2024
The decision to immediately revoke his "P" accreditation — essential for those involved in preparing athletes — was made on Monday, August 5, in the afternoon. Actions against Reider sparked controversy, especially after allegations from three women, one of whom remained anonymous, came to light in a court in Broward County, Florida.
Among the allegations were accusations of sexual and emotional abuse. Nevertheless, Reider's attorney, Ryan Stevens, criticized the process, saying there was a lack of due legal process. He responded similarly to one of the accusers, accusing her of alleged intentions to damage the coach's reputation. He also emphasized that no sanctions are imposed on Reider by the US Center for SafeSport or national athletics federations.
Despite the accreditation revocation, which "The Guardian" describes as significant for the athletics scene, Reider's attorney defends him against the accusations. He claims the coach was "unfairly deprived of the opportunity to coach at the Olympics" based on years-old allegations allegedly motivated by former athletes seeking financial gain.
Ryan Stevens noted that this decision primarily harms the athletes, who suddenly lost the opportunity to work with their chosen coach, including one of the top Canadian sprinters. Rana Reider coaches athletes such as Marcell Jacobs and Andre De Grasse.
The situation surrounding the coach sparks a discussion about the procedures related to safety and abuse in sports while simultaneously highlighting his previous successes as a coach of Rossini Campos and other notable athletes. The case remains open, and further legal and sports actions may bring new facts and resolutions.
Allegations of sexual harassment by Rana Reider came to light in 2021. He was accused of having an affair with an 18-year-old British athlete in 2014 when he was 44 years old. UK Athletics ordered their athletes to sever all ties with him. Furthermore, he received a training ban, except for supervision by another adult, and was forbidden from contacting specific individuals.
Rana Reider is considered one of the best American athletics coaches in history. In 2011, USA Track & Field awarded Reider the title of coach of the year for helping three athletes win medals at the World Championships in Athletics.
