Leading British athletes have been told to cut ties with US coach Rana Reider while the US Centre for SafeSport investigates multiple complaints of sexual misconduct against him.
Reider has coached several elite track and field athletes, including British duo Adam Gemili and Daryll Neita.
His lawyer says no formal allegations have been made against his client.
Ryan Stevens said it was “unfair to drag Rana’s reputation through the mud” before an investigation had happened.
In a statement, UK Athletics told its athletes to “cease all association” with Reider until the investigation ends, even though the American, 51, told the Guardian the investigation was “news to me”.
The statement read: “As part of UK Athletics commitment to ensuring appropriate conduct is consistent across all areas without any exceptions, we completed additional due diligence where issues have been raised about the support personnel of UK athletes.
“Following information from the US Centre for SafeSport that multiple complaints of sexual misconduct have been made against coach Rana Reider and that an investigation in the US is imminent, UK Athletics has informed UK athletes currently being coached by him to cease all association until the conclusion of this process.”
Reider has established himself as one of the top track and field coaches in the world having overseen the success of several elite athletes, including Olympic 200m champion Andre de Grasse and four-time triple jump world champion Christian Taylor.
A former UK Athletics employee, Reider trains athletes at the Tumbleweed Track Club in Jacksonville, Florida having recently moved his training base from the Netherlands.
Sprinters Gemili, 28, and Neita, 25, have been informed that their membership of UK Athletics’ World Class Programme, and associated funding, will be suspended if they remain part of Reider’s training group.
However, UK Athletics will work to secure alternative coaching for them.
The US Centre for SafeSport investigates claims of emotional, physical and sexual misconduct in sport, although the independent body has not released a statement relating to Reider.
“The motives and timing of the alleged complaints have not been investigated or vetted yet,” Reider’s lawyer Stevens told BBC Sport.
“The US Centre for SafeSport has not formally alleged any violations against Rana at this time. We haven’t received a notice of allegations or any evidence of the alleged claims whatsoever.
“We look forward to the investigative and vetting process to ensure fairness and due process to Rana. Frankly, it’s unfair to drag Rana’s reputation through the mud before an investigation into any alleged complaints has even taken place.”
The US Centre for SafeSport told BBC Sport: “The US Centre for SafeSport does not comment on matters to protect the integrity of the investigative process.
“If there’s a temporary measure or suspension that’s more than probation or a no contact directive it will be listed on the Centre’s disciplinary database.”
