Andy Young, the former coach of Tokyo Olympic 1500m silver medallist Laura Muir, has been banned from coaching for three years after being found guilty of serious misconduct by two independent UK Athletics (UKA) panels.

Originally, a disciplinary panel in September 2024 upheld nine of 37 charges against him (seven deemed “serious”), including:

– Athlete welfare ignored: On multiple occasions, placed performance ahead of athlete safety.

– Disregard for medical advice: Forcing athletes to compete or train despite physiotherapists advising otherwise.

– Manipulative/coercive behavior: Threats to exclude athletes from training/races if they resisted.

– Emotional undermining: Criticizing athletes who raised injury concerns.

– Serious incident: Driving recklessly with an athlete after a disagreement, then abandoning them roadside.

– Nutrition interference: Giving dietary instructions without qualifications, in conflict with professional advice.

The panel described his conduct as “pressure sufficient to vitiate the athletes’ free will.”

The initial sanction was a five-year ban, which was later reduced to three years on appeal (with all serious charges upheld).

The ban is backdated to April 2023, making him eligible to return in April 2026, but only if he completes training on athlete welfare, medical collaboration, injury management, and anti-bullying/harassment.

Laura Muir issued the following statement in UK Athletics's release:

"I have chosen to waive my anonymity and confirm my involvement in this case. I fully support the decisions reached by both independent panels and I am grateful that the process has been followed through so thoroughly. I want to thank those who came forward and those who contributed to the process — it has not been easy, but it was necessary.

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.”

Other athletes who contributed to the investigation remained anonymous.

Jemma Reekie, who Young coached to fourth place in the 800m at the Tokyo Olympics in the 800m, left the group with Muir in March 2023. She has not commented on the report.

After the report was published, Canadian 1500m record holder Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, who trained under Andrew Young from 2018 to 2020, issued the following statement on her Instagram.

“Hi, I have been getting some questions about the news that came out today. I will keep comments brief: Yes, I was approached by this investigation in Autumn 2022. Yes, my testimony related to some of the Findings and Charges, multiple of which were accepted by the Panel. The whole hearing process and its aftermath felt dehumanizing and frustrating. I feel grateful to have been able to support my fellow teammates by participating. I look forward to providing feedback to UKA and UK Sport on how to better support athletes in the future. I will not be commenting further for the time being.”

You can read the full initial case decision here. | You can read the full appeal decision here.