by Stuart Weir
Andy Young suspended from coaching
This is the most difficult article that I’ve ever written.
Andy Young coached Laura Muir from the beginning of her career until 2023. He can take credit for developing Laura’s raw talent to Olympic and world medals – plus European, Commonwealth etc. He took Jemma Reekie to fourth place in the Tokyo Olympic 800. Now it has come to light that there was another side to Andy.
A UK Athletics statement included the following:
“UK Athletics (UKA) can today confirm the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings concerning endurance coach Andrew Young, whose conduct has now been considered by two independent panels. Both panels upheld findings of serious misconduct and confirmed that his behaviour fell well below the standards required of a licensed coach.
In September 2024, a UKA Disciplinary Panel sat over four days (23–26 September) to consider 39 charges. Its written decision, issued on 8 October 2024, found nine charges proven (wholly or in part), seven of them serious. The Panel concluded that Mr Young had, on multiple occasions, placed performance above athlete welfare, ignored medical advice, and used manipulative and coercive behaviour towards those he coached. In its ruling, the Panel described his actions as “conduct [that] exerted pressure sufficient to vitiate the Athletes’ free will.”
Examples included requiring an athlete to compete against the clear advice of a physiotherapist, threatening to exclude athletes from training or races if they did not comply with his demands, and emotionally undermining those who raised concerns about injuries. Another charge highlighted an incident in which Mr Young, following a disagreement, drove at speed with an athlete in his car before abandoning them at the roadside, disregarding their safety and wellbeing.
The Panel further criticised his inappropriate interference in nutrition, noting that he offered advice on food intake despite lacking qualifications and in disregard of professional guidance. It concluded that these behaviours represented a breach of fundamental coaching duties to “place the welfare and safety of the athlete above the development of performance” and to act with dignity and respect. The Panel revoked his licence for five years, backdated to April 2023, and required him to complete specific rehabilitative training before any return to coaching could be considered.
Mr Young appealed the decision. An independent Appeal Panel heard the case in August 2025 and issued its ruling on 31 August 2025. Although expressing a slightly lesser view of the gravity of the misconduct overall, the Appeal Panel rejected claims of bias, legal error and unfairness, and it confirmed the misconduct findings in full. It agreed that seven of the breaches were serious and that revocation of his licence was necessary to protect athletes”.
The full statement can be read at: INDEPENDENT PANELS CONFIRM SERIOUS MISCONDUCT BY ANDREW YOUNG – UK Athletics
It is with great sadness that I write this as I knew and liked Andy. I wrote articles with him and about him. At Diamond Leagues I would often have a drink with him. He was always very helpful to me. I talked to him, ate meals with him etc at events. I am devastated by what has happened.’
