British athletics coach Leon Baptiste missing in Morocco

Concern is growing over British athletics coach and former international sprinter Leon Baptiste, 41, who has not been heard from for nearly two months after traveling to Morocco with a group of friends.

According to The Guardian, Baptiste, who coaches a number of elite athletes, including Charlie Dobson, the Paris Olympic bronze medalist in the 4×400m relay, had been working as a consultant for UK Athletics, which has had no contact with him since he left. He has also not responded to messages sent to his phone.

UK Athletics declined to comment on Baptiste’s disappearance, citing confidentiality, while The Guardian quoted a former Great Britain teammate as saying: “No one knows what has happened. It’s very worrying.”

Baptiste’s absence has affected the athletes he coaches, particularly Dobson. UK Athletics staff have stepped in to support the group, with former European 400m champion Martyn Rooney taking over Dobson’s training. Baptiste won gold in both the 200m and the 4×100m relay at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, before retiring from competition in 2013 because of a serious knee injury and moving into coaching.