U.K. athletics coach banned for life over inappropriate conduct

Toni Minichiello, who guided Britain’s Jessica Ennis-Hill to the heptathlon gold at London 2012, has been banned for life after a disciplinary panel appointed by the UK Athletics (UKA) Board found him to have engaged in sexually inappropriate behaviour.

Minichiello was provisionally suspended last year pending an investigation into complaints from female athletes. The panel on Tuesday announced Minichiello had made inappropriate sexual references and gestures to athletes.

In a statement released to the British media, Minichiello denied any wrongdoing.

“I cannot fully express my disappointment with this decision and with UK Athletics’ unfair handling of this process,” he said. “I strongly deny all the charges made against me.

“I have been a coach for over 30 years and while I have been robust and demanding, I have not behaved inappropriately towards any of my athletes as very many of them would confirm.”