A distinguished race director and coach has been banned from athletics for all times after a UK Athletics disciplinary panel discovered him responsible of a number of breaches of the coaches’ code of conduct, together with inappropriate relationships together with his athletes and utilizing racist and misogynistic language.
Chris Barnes, who ran the favored Podium 5km sequence of races, admitted all 9 fees towards him, which additionally included bringing the game into disrepute and utilizing inappropriate language.
Barnes was discovered to have had an intimate relationship and to have despatched a sequence of express photos to 1 athlete between March 2019 and January 2021 whereas appearing as her coach.
He additionally admitted to having had an intimate relationship with one other athlete between February and June 2020, having not advised her he was married.
Between September 2013 and August 2020, Barnes additionally admitted he had made inappropriate remarks throughout conversations over Fb Messenger. They included remarks comparable to “it’s easy tomorrow I’ll simply blame the pakis for dropping our license” and, when discussing whether or not he can be captain in a soccer match, saying: “yep in a sport towards blacks and browns” … “with a brown ref”.
Barnes additionally admitted to being obsessive over physique weight and telling athletes what they may or couldn’t eat. On one event, he advised an athlete they weren’t allowed to buy meals. This led to an argument by which the athlete was advised: “This is the reason your dad and mom don’t need something to do with you.”
He pleaded responsible for making feedback about one feminine athlete in August 2022 that included saying: “she’s a fucking heifer” and “she’s blown up”.
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The case was heard underneath UKA’s disciplinary guidelines and procedures, after an impartial investigation into breaches of the physique’s code of conduct for coaches.
UKA confirmed that Barnes has been completely banned from taking part in any capability within the sport inside Nice Britain and Northern Eire. “This contains any roles involving teaching, the organisation of occasions, and every other actions ruled by the UK Athletics competitors guidelines or the foundations of World Athletics,” it added.
UKA’s chief working officer, Tom Solesbury, stated: “This was a really critical case, and we’re glad that the end result displays the gravity of the behaviour concerned. It demonstrates that no matter your position or place, if you’re lively in our sport and your conduct falls wanting the requirements we count on, we’ll act to handle it.
“The overwhelming majority of coaches in our sport uphold the best requirements and make a massively optimistic contribution to athletics – and we owe it to them, and to everybody within the sport, to make sure a protected, respectful and supportive surroundings for all.”
