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Top British sprinters Daryll Neita and Adam Gemili so far have refused to cease ties with American coach Rana Reider who is under investigation by SafeSport following several sexual misconduct complaints against him.

UK Athletics has ordered the athletes to cease ties with the coach, however, continue to defy that order.

While sexual misconduct allegations and complaints must be taken with the utmost seriousness, considering Reider guilty before an investigation is complete is dangerous ground to stand on.

The sprinters have been sent two letters by UKA, reminding them they will lose their place on the World Class Programme and all lottery funding if they do not leave Reider, but they continue.

UKA’s acting chief executive, Mark Munro, confirmed to the Guardian that discussions with the athletes were continuing but said: “I can’t give you an answer in terms of what they plan to do.”

Reider is an elite-level sprint and jumps coach with Tumblewood Track Club in Jacksonville, FL. He currently coaches six-time Olympic medallist Andre de Grasse, as well as Christian Taylor, Daphne Schippers, and Churandy Martina, to name a few.

The alleged behavior by the 51-year-old American is to be scrutinized by the US Safe Sports Center, a powerful and independent organization that handles the investigation and complaints of abuse and illicit activity in Olympic sports.

De Grasse switched to Reider in 2018 after an injury-filled season.

Reider has also coached  Adam Gemili, Anyika Onuora, Shara Proctor, Lynsey Sharp, Desiree Henry, Tiffany Porter, Martyn Rooney, Cindy Ofili among others.