KOR
▲ Leon Baptiste
A British athletics coach, who was initially reported missing, has been sentenced to prison in Morocco for the sexual assault of a minor and is currently serving his sentence, the BBC reported today (August 21).
According to the BBC, Leon Baptiste, a 41-year-old British sprint coach, cut off contact in May after sending a message to the athletes he coached stating that he would be unable to participate in training for the time being.
The BBC reported, "Neither British Athletics nor the athletes he coached knew the reason for Baptiste's disappearance."
British media subsequently reported that Baptiste had gone missing.
In an additional email sent to his athletes, Baptiste stepped down from his coaching position citing health issues, but did not disclose specific health conditions or reasons.
Citing a source from the Moroccan Ministry of Justice, the BBC reported, "Baptiste was arrested in Marrakech, Morocco, in May on charges of sexually assaulting a minor, was subsequently convicted, and is serving his sentence at the Oudaya prison. Baptiste was initially sentenced to 10 months in prison, which was reduced to 8 months upon appeal."
The BBC stated, "Baptiste's sudden absence left some British athletes he coached to train without a dedicated coach," adding that "Charlie Dobson, a bronze medalist in the men's relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Zak Skinner, a silver medalist in the mixed relay at the Paris Paralympics, were among those affected."
Baptiste was a prominent British sprinter who won gold medals in the men's 200m and men's 400m relay at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, an international multi-sport event featuring countries from the British Commonwealth.
After retiring due to a knee injury, he transitioned into coaching and has been training top-tier British sprinters.
However, following this incident, he faces the prospect of being expelled from the athletics community.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
