Athletics coach Leon Baptiste sentenced to prison in Morocco
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 20, 2026, 9:27 AM
Last updated Aug 20, 2026
Leon Baptiste, an English athletics coach, is serving a prison sentence in Morocco after being reported missing. Baptiste, a former gold medalist, had been out of contact for over three months, prompting concerns regarding his whereabouts. He was confirmed to have been arrested in Marrakech in May and has since been convicted in connection with a misdemeanour case. Despite reports of his disappearance, a source from the Moroccan Ministry of Justice stated that he has been in custody and is currently in good health. UK authorities are providing support to him during his detention.
- •Leon Baptiste coached British sprinters before his disappearance.
- •He was arrested in Marrakech and now serves time in Al-Oudaya prison.
- •Baptiste's conviction details remain undisclosed by authorities.
- •His athletes experienced training disruptions as a result of his absence.
- •The UK Foreign Office is in contact with Moroccan authorities.
- 9:27 AMThe Guardian Sport — Missing British athletics coach Leon Baptiste in Marrakech prison
- 3:19 PMBBC Sport — 'Missing' athletics coach Baptiste serving prison sentence in Morocco
"Coach had not been heard from in two months Baptiste serving a custodial sentence in Morocco Leon Baptiste, the British Athletics coach who had not been heard from since visiting Morocco around two months ago, is being held in prison in Marrakech, it has emerged. Baptiste, 41, who coaches a number of elite athletes, is believed to have gone to Morocco for the weekend with friends. As of last weekend he had not been heard from since by his athletes or the UK Athletics officials who pay him as a Loughborough-based consultant, with messages to his phone not returned. Continue reading...
"An English athletics coach said by media reports to be missing is serving a prison sentence in Morocco, BBC Sport can reveal.
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportAug 20, 2026, 9:27 AMMissing British athletics coach Leon Baptiste in Marrakech prison
Coach had not been heard from in two months Baptiste serving a custodial sentence in Morocco Leon Baptiste, the British Athletics coach who had not been heard from since visiting Morocco around two months ago, is being held in prison in Marrakech, it has emerged. Baptiste, 41, who coaches a number of elite athletes, is believed to have gone to Morocco for the weekend with friends. As of last weekend he had not been heard from since by his athletes or the UK Athletics officials who pay him as a Loughborough-based consultant, with messages to his phone not returned. Continue reading...
- BBC SportAug 19, 2026, 3:19 PM'Missing' athletics coach Baptiste serving prison sentence in Morocco
An English athletics coach said by media reports to be missing is serving a prison sentence in Morocco, BBC Sport can reveal.
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