George Morris, an 81-year-old former Olympic show jumping medallist and renowned equestrian coach, has been handed a lifetime ban for sexual misconduct involving a minor. The US Center for SafeSport, an independent body investigating sexual misconduct in Olympic sports, announced the ban on Monday, describing it as the most severe penalty it has ever issued.
Morris, who won a team silver medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics as the youngest member of the US show jumping team, later became a prominent trainer and coach for both the US and Brazilian national teams. In a statement, he said he would appeal the ban, which he claimed stems from “events that allegedly occurred between 1968 and 1972”. He denied the allegations, calling them “false and hurtful”.
The case has drawn attention to the US Equestrian Federation's updated bylaws this year, which officially brought trainers—often independent contractors—under its safe-sport policy. Morris's coaching career included leading the US team to a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a silver at the 2012 London Games, after which he coached the Brazilian team for Rio 2016.
The ban follows a pattern of increased scrutiny on sexual misconduct in equestrian sports, with SafeSport emphasising its commitment to protecting athletes. Morris's appeal process is expected to unfold in the coming months.
