Australian sprinter charged with child sex offence

Australian sprint champion Jake Doran has been charged with a child sex offence in Queensland.

Doran, a two-time national sprint champion who has represented Australia at the world championships and Commonwealth Games, was charged in Queensland with indecent treatment of a child under 16.

The 26-year-old Doran, who was born and raised on Magnetic Island in Queensland, was arrested by Townsville police last week and bailed to reappear on November 5.

He has been provisionally banned by Australian Athletics from attending any national, state or club event or attending an athletics training session.

“Australian Athletics is aware that an athlete has been charged with a serious offence in Townsville,” a spokesperson said.

“The former international athlete has no paid or unpaid role within Australian Athletics.

“Based on information provided to Australian Athletics, the organisation has imposed a provisional action on the athlete, prohibiting him from attending club, member association or Australian Athletics events, as well as banning him from participating in athletics training.

“The safety and wellbeing of all participants in our sport is paramount, and we take all allegations of this nature very seriously.

“As the matter is now a police matter, Australian Athletics will not be making any further comment.”

Doran, who won two national titles and an Oceania title, represented Australia at the world championships in Eugene, Oregon and made the semi-final at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, both in 2022. An injury meant he missed selection for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.