Andrew Young, who guided Laura Muir to her Tokyo Olympics 1500m silver medal, has received a three-year athletics ban following multiple findings of serious misconduct by UK Athletics disciplinary panels.
The 48-year-old faced 39 charges, with independent panels upholding nine allegations, seven deemed serious. The ban, backdated to April 2023, means Young can return to coaching in April 2026.
Muir has chosen to waive her anonymity, confirming her involvement in the proceedings against her former coach.
The Scottish athlete ended her professional relationship with Young in 2023 following a training camp in South Africa.
Andrew Young, who guided Laura Muir to her Tokyo Olympics 1500m silver medal, has received a three-year athletics ban following multiple findings of serious misconduct by UK Athletics disciplinary panels
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The disciplinary panels established that Young prioritised athletic performance over competitor wellbeing, employing manipulative and coercive tactics with those under his guidance.
In one disturbing incident, following a disagreement, Young "drove at speed with an athlete in his car before abandoning them at the roadside, disregarding their safety and wellbeing".
The panels also determined he compelled athletes to compete despite clear physiotherapist recommendations against participation.
Young's misconduct included threatening to bar athletes from training sessions or competitions unless they complied with his demands.
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The former coach has been banned for three years, backdated to April 2023
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He emotionally undermined those who expressed injury concerns and instructed one athlete to train despite foot pain that later proved to be a stress fracture.
Muir expressed gratitude to those who participated in the investigation, acknowledging the challenging nature of the process.
"I fully support the decisions reached by both independent panels and I am grateful that the process has been followed through so thoroughly," she stated.
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"Athletics has always been my passion, and I am pleased to say that I have rediscovered the love of my sport and the enjoyment of training and working within a supportive and positive coaching environment.
"I am now focused on the future, looking forward to the next few years of my career, and putting this difficult chapter firmly behind me."
UK Athletics chief executive Jack Buckner described the case as "difficult and sobering", emphasising that no athletic achievement could justify conduct falling below coaching standards.
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Laura Muir won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
|REUTERS
"This case underlines that performance and medals can never come at the expense of athlete welfare," he stated.
Buckner highlighted organisational reforms already implemented, including enhanced reporting mechanisms and expanded welfare provisions.
The changes have been advanced under Paula Dunn's leadership and the performance team.
"We have strengthened reporting systems, expanded welfare support, and ensured independent expertise and support is available when concerns are raised," Buckner explained.
He praised the courage of athletes who came forward, noting their actions ensured unacceptable behaviour was exposed and addressed.