Lithuania's Olympic team has officially expelled Estonian ice skating coach Raimo Reinsalu from the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games by revoking his accreditation. The decision comes as the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) prepares to evaluate the case on Wednesday. Reinsalu was accused of both mental and physical abuse towards athletes under his care, raising serious concerns about athlete welfare in competitive sports.

Reinsalu was initially accredited to coach Lithuanian figure skater Meda Variakojyte during the Olympics, and he also has ties with the Latvian Olympic team, where he coached figure skater Fedirs Kuliss. The expulsion is grounded in serious accusations made by Sofia Stepcenko, a two-time Latvian champion, who had previously publicized her experiences of manipulation and coercion, claiming that Reinsalu and another coach pressured her to compete despite injuries and contributed to her struggles with eating disorders and mental health issues.

The removal from the Olympics marks a significant stance by the Lithuanian Olympic committee against alleged abusive practices in sports, highlighting a growing concern over the treatment of athletes in elite competitions. As the CAS prepares to make a ruling, it could set important precedents regarding accountability and athlete protection within the realm of competitive sports, emphasizing the need for reform and oversight in coaching practices.