The former director of England Athletics has been banned for three years for racist comments made about black runners.
A report was ordered following Julian Starkey making the remarks during a Sporting Equals Leadership event in November.
The UK Athletics Disciplinary Panel found Starkey said this or similar, “Usually when athletes start to be more specific in events, most black athletes tend to edge towards sprinting and hurdling… the blacks are all good at running because they have to get away from their burglaries”.
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The report was released this week and Starkey has been banned for holding any official position in England Athletics or UK Athletics for three years.
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Starkey, 62, admitted to making the comment, but cited “mental health challenges” in his defence.
The report said that was not an excuse and did not pardon such remarks.
“He had behaved in a manner which England Athletics considered disgraceful,” it read.
“The comment made was a serious act of misconduct, and was totally unacceptable.
“Even taking into account the claimant’s mental health, the comment was shocking.”
Starkey resigned from roles with England Athletics in December, and UK Athletics suspended his coaching licences for two years.
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