Coach of Italy's Marcell Jacobs has accreditation stripped over safeguarding concerns

ROME -- Rana Reider, the coach of Italian sprinter Marcell Jacobs, has had his accreditation removed by the Canadian Olympic Committee over safeguarding concerns. Reider’s lawyer, Ryan Stevens, has criticised the decision.

Three women have reportedly filed lawsuits against the Canadian trainer, who also coaches sprinter Andre De Grasse, in Florida. Among the complaints are references to sexual and emotional abuse, along with sexual and verbal harassment.

 World Athletics had previously questioned the decision by the Canadian Olympic Committee to accredit Reider, who recently served a 12-month probation sanction for a relationship that, according to a US Center for Safesport report, presented “a power imbalance” with an athlete. Reider had previously been denied accreditation to the 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships.

 Italian sprinter Jacobs, who hired Reider as his coach in September 2023, finished fifth in the men’s 100 metres final in Paris.

 More to follow.