Former Olympian Chris Black Banned for Sexual Abuse of Athlete

Chris Black, a former two-time Olympian and UK record-holder in hammer throw, has received an **indefinite suspension from all athletics activities** following his conviction for sexual abuse against a female athlete he coached. The ruling by **UK Athletics** (UKA) comes after a thorough investigation that revealed a disturbing pattern of misconduct involving serious sexual touching over a significant period.

The disciplinary panel found Black guilty of **12 charges**, detailing behaviors that included inappropriate touching and sending crude messages to the young athlete. These offences occurred during a two-year timeframe while she was in her late teens at various training venues, including camps in **Loughborough**, **Portugal**, and **Tenerife**. The athlete, who has chosen to remain anonymous, was subjected to abuse that included both non-consensual touching and penetrative acts.

Details of the Misconduct

The misconduct involved Black sending sexually explicit communications via SMS and engaging in inappropriate physical contact, which he falsely claimed would enhance the athlete’s performance by increasing her testosterone levels. The panel emphasized that this behavior represents a serious breach of trust and authority, stating, “This is behaviour which approaches the most serious form of abuse a senior coach could subject a young athlete to.”

Black, now **75 years old**, was initially suspended by UKA in **2017** and was under investigation by police in **2018**. Despite his consistent denial of the charges, the UKA panel found his defenses to be unconvincing. The athlete reported feeling trapped and fearful during her time training under Black, stating she would “lie there in fear effectively waiting for it to end.”

The panel reported that the athlete experienced significant emotional distress, which led her to contemplate suicide and ultimately consider leaving the sport. At one point, she left an overseas training camp early, flying home alone due to the overwhelming pressure and fear she faced during her training.

Impact on Black’s Career

Chris Black represented the UK in the **1976 Montreal Olympics**, finishing seventh, and also competed in the **1980 Moscow Games**. Throughout his athletic career, he won three **AAA titles** and a **Commonwealth bronze medal** in **1978**, solidifying his reputation in the sport. His later involvement as a coach was marked by the same passion that characterized his competitive years.

Despite the serious nature of the charges, UKA acknowledged Black’s prior achievements within the discipline of hammer throwing. They stated, “There is no doubting his prowess and standing within the discipline… His achievements both as a hammer-throwing competitor and, latterly, as a coach, are considerable.”

However, the findings of the disciplinary panel have overshadowed his legacy. The investigation also revealed that Black breached his initial suspension by appearing to offer coaching services at a Hammer Circle Reunion. Furthermore, there were concerns about payments made to the athlete, which raised suspicions that he may have been attempting to buy her silence.

The full details of the charges against Chris Black are documented by UKA, with Black maintaining his innocence “to the last.” The outcome of this case serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility that coaches hold in safeguarding the welfare of their athletes and the serious consequences that arise from abuse of power.