Laura Muir Breaks Silence as Former Coach Andy Young Banned for Misconduct

Olympic silver medallist waives anonymity to highlight athlete welfare after coach receives three-year suspension

Olympic 1500m silver medallist Laura Muir has waived her right to anonymity to confirm her involvement in the misconduct case that led to the suspension of her former coach, Andy Young. The Scottish runner, who worked with Young for 12 years before their split in 2023, said she wanted to stand publicly with other athletes and support the decisions made by disciplinary panels.

Coach Banned for Serious Misconduct

UK Athletics (UKA) confirmed that Young has been banned from coaching for three years after being found guilty of nine charges, seven of which were deemed serious. The offences included coercive and manipulative behaviour, disregarding athlete safety, and ignoring medical advice in pursuit of performance results.

Initially, Young had been banned for five years in October 2024, but following an appeal in August 2025, the sanction was reduced to three years. The ban has been backdated to April 2023, when Young first lost his licence.

Charges Paint a Troubling Picture

The UKA panel originally considered 39 charges against Young, eventually finding nine proven. The findings revealed a consistent pattern of behaviour where athlete welfare was secondary to results. Examples included forcing athletes to compete despite medical advice, threatening exclusion from training, and emotionally undermining those who raised concerns.

In one particularly alarming incident, Young reportedly drove aggressively with an athlete in his car following a disagreement, before abandoning them at the roadside placing their safety in immediate jeopardy.

Appeal Panel Confirms Misconduct

Young’s legal team appealed the decision, arguing procedural errors and bias. However, the independent appeal panel dismissed those claims, upholding the misconduct findings in full. While they acknowledged a “slightly lesser view of gravity” than the original panel, the appeal panel confirmed that seven charges constituted serious breaches of coaching standards.

Young will now have to undergo specific rehabilitative training before he can be considered for reinstatement once his suspension ends.

Muir’s Statement of Courage

Speaking publicly for the first time, Muir explained why she chose to waive anonymity: “I have chosen to confirm my involvement in this case. I fully support the decisions reached by both panels, and I am grateful the process was so thorough. I want to thank those who came forward it has not been easy, but it was necessary.”

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The 31-year-old said she has now rediscovered her passion for athletics, working in a supportive and positive environment. “Athletics has always been my passion, and I am pleased to say that I have rediscovered the love of my sport. I am now focused on the future, putting this difficult chapter behind me.”

The Break with Young

Muir ended her professional relationship with Young in 2023 during a training camp in South Africa, leaving the group after disagreements involving both her and other athletes. The split marked the end of a long partnership that had seen Muir rise to the top of middle-distance running, including her silver medal at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.

UK Athletics on Welfare First

Jack Buckner, Chief Executive of UKA, described the case as “sobering” and reinforced the governing body’s commitment to athlete welfare. “There is no level of success on the track which can ever justify behaviours that fall so short of the standards required of a UKA-licensed coach,” he said.

He praised the courage of athletes who spoke out, stressing that their testimony has been vital in exposing and addressing misconduct. Buckner also outlined reforms, including stronger reporting systems, expanded welfare support, and greater independent oversight to protect athletes.

Looking Toward a Safer Future

UKA has pledged to continue cultural reforms, building on leadership initiatives by Paula Dunn and the performance team. A new coaching group has been launched to celebrate best practices, ensuring that coaches achieve success with athlete welfare at the centre of their work.

For Muir, the conclusion of the case represents closure and an opportunity to refocus on her athletic career. For UKA, it is a reminder that safeguarding must remain the foundation of sporting success.

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