Leon Baptiste, a prominent British athletics coach based in Loughborough, has been confirmed as a prisoner in Marrakech, Morocco. Baptiste, who works as a consultant for UK Athletics and trains several elite athletes, had been reported missing by his associates after he failed to return from a trip to Morocco approximately two months ago.

Concerns for his safety grew when his phone went silent and he failed to communicate with his athletes or UK Athletics officials. While the Moroccan Ministry of Justice has acknowledged that Baptiste is in custody, the specific charges or reasons for his incarceration have not been publicly disclosed. The situation remains developing as international officials and his professional contacts seek further clarity on his legal status and the timeline for his potential release or trial. The Guardian reports that Baptiste had traveled to the region with friends for a weekend trip, but the subsequent events leading to his imprisonment have not been detailed by either British or Moroccan authorities.