Australian Olympic Coach Banned for Sexual Harassment of Athletes
Olympic coach who sent bikini photo to athlete given four-year ban
Image: The Sydney Morning Herald
Mark Ladbrook, a former Olympic sprinter and coach, has received a four-year ban for sexually harassing female athletes, including inappropriate comments about their attire and body image. The National Sport Tribunal found substantial evidence against him, leading to the revocation of his coaching accreditation and a requirement for further training.
- 01Ladbrook was found to have made inappropriate comments, such as, 'Jesus Christ [redacted], what are you doing to me wearing those shorts.'
- 02The tribunal substantiated three out of five complaints against him, highlighting a pattern of sexualized behavior and harassment.
- 03Ladbrook's coaching accreditation was permanently revoked by Australian Athletics in 2025, and he is eligible to reapply in 2029.
- 04The tribunal concluded that Ladbrook showed no genuine remorse for his actions, which contributed to a toxic environment for female athletes.
- 05Australian Athletics emphasized the importance of athlete safety and the need for a supportive environment for those reporting misconduct.
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Mark Ladbrook, a 54-year-old former Australian Olympic sprinter, has been banned from coaching for four years after being found guilty of sexually harassing female athletes. The National Sport Tribunal substantiated three of the five complaints against him, which included inappropriate comments about athletes' attire and body image, as well as creating a sexualized training environment. Ladbrook's behavior included sending sexualized images and making derogatory remarks about athletes' appearances, which the tribunal deemed intrusive and inappropriate. Despite his claims of being misunderstood, the tribunal found his actions contributed to a toxic atmosphere within his coaching squad, Athletic4Life, on the Gold Coast. Ladbrook's coaching accreditation was permanently revoked by Australian Athletics, and he can reapply in 2029. Australian Athletics has reiterated its commitment to athlete safety and the importance of a supportive environment for those who report misconduct. The tribunal's decision aims to serve as a deterrent to other coaches and reinforces the standards expected in the sport.
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This ruling emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment in sports, particularly for female athletes.
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