Olympic Champions’ American Coach Expelled from Paris Games

PARIS, France — The American coach of Olympic champions Andre De Grasse and Marcell Jacobs has been expelled from the Paris Games.

Rana Reider, under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct by the U.S. Center for SafeSport and placed on a one-year probation that ended in May, was accredited for the Summer Games through the Canadian Olympic Committee. He is also the personal coach of Jacobs, the gold medalist in the 100 meters at Tokyo, alongside other sprinters.

“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 stated Monday.

New information surfaced on Sunday, August 4th, questioning the appropriateness of Mr. Reider’s continuing accreditation by Team Canada. Collaboration with Athletics Canada led to the revocation of Reider’s accreditation.

The implications for De Grasse are significant. He will have to compete in the 200-meter semifinals and possibly the finals on Wednesday and Thursday without his coach.

De Grasse finished second behind Noah Lyles in his 200-meter heat on Monday, advancing to the semifinals. Jacobs, who placed fifth in the 100 meters on Sunday, aims to defend his gold in Italy’s 4×100 relay team.

Athletics Canada had originally suspended Reider when the investigation commenced three years ago, though De Grasse later resumed training with him.