Former British sprint champion Leon Baptiste has been jailed for 10 months in Morocco after being convicted of sexually assaulting a minor.
The 41-year-old was serving as a consultant sprint coach for UK Athletics when he traveled to Morocco approximately two months ago and ceased all communication with colleagues and athletes in Britain.
A source from the Moroccan Ministry of Justice told the BBC that Baptiste was arrested in Marrakech in May. He is currently detained and serving his sentence at Al-Oudaya prison in the city.
The Ministry of Justice official described reports that Baptiste was missing as inaccurate, clarifying that there was no unexplained disappearance and that the former athlete remains in good health. A spokesperson for the Moroccan Prosecution Office also confirmed both the conviction and the custodial sentence handed down by local judicial authorities.
Arrest and disappearance in Marrakech
Baptiste had traveled to the North African nation alongside three other former British athletes, all of whom have since returned to the United Kingdom. His family was aware of his imprisonment in Morocco.
Before his arrest, Baptiste was preparing top British sprinters for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. According to the BBC, he informed several of his athletes in May that he would be absent for a short while, without providing any further explanation for his departure.
His athletes received no substantive updates until Tuesday, when a brief email sent on his behalf formally announced his resignation. The message attributed his decision to step down to unspecified health issues, shortly before the true reasons for his absence emerged.
Impact on British athletics
The sudden arrest and resignation have left several prominent British sprinters without their lead coach. Those affected include Olympic relay bronze medallist Charlie Dobson and Paralympic silver medallist Zac Shaw, both of whom were being coached by Baptiste ahead of major international competitions.
To minimize disruption to training schedules, British relay coach Martin Rooney and European champion Adam Gemili have stepped in to assist the sprinters impacted by Baptiste's sudden departure.
UK Athletics serves as the governing body for track and field sports in the United Kingdom, overseeing elite athlete development and national squad preparations for international events such as the Commonwealth Games, a multi-sport competition held every four years among Commonwealth nations.
Career background and official response
During his competitive career, Baptiste won the gold medal in the 200 metres at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, securing two medals overall at the event. After retiring as an active athlete, he transitioned into coaching and was named Coach of the Year by UK Athletics in 2023.
The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed that it is providing consular assistance to Baptiste and remains in direct communication with Moroccan officials regarding his detention.
