Rana Reider, coach to several track and field athletes competing in the Olympics, has been kicked out of the Paris Games under allegations of misconduct.
Reider was previously suspended for one year, which ended in May 2024, by the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Given the end of his suspension, the Canadian Olympic Committee granted him access to the Olympic training facilities and competitions. Reider is the personal coach for Canadian, Andre De Grasse who is competing in the 200-meters. He also coaches American, Tray Bromell and the defending 100-meter champion, the Italian, Marcell Jacobs.
After learning new information regarding “the appropriateness of Reider remaining accredited by Team Canada” on August 4, the Canadian Olympic Committee revoked Reider’s accreditation. No further details on what new information led to this decision have been released.
“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 in defense of their decision to admit Reider originally.
While exact details are not available, it is known that three lawsuits were recently filed in Broward County, Florida against Reider and his track club. The allegations against Reider include rape and sexual harassment and were filed by former pro long jumpers and sprinters.
According to one court filing, the plaintiff accuses Reider of a “pattern of sexual assault and emotional abuse that lasted for six years and resulted in two suicide attempts and psychiatric hospitalization.”
In a statement, Reider’s attorney Ryan Steven’s said, “It's a bad day for the Olympics when a governing body's fear of bad publicity is prioritized over the athletes.” Reider will be fighting his accreditation revocation.
