Coach pleads not guilty

Jose Vicente

A former Olympic athletics coach has denied raping and sexually assaulting a child.

Jose Vicente Leiva-Modahl, 65 - who was previously married to former Olympic middle-distance runner Diane Modahl - appeared at Manchester Crown Court where he pleaded not guilty to 19 charges.

Judge Nicholas Dean KC, Honorary Recorder of Manchester, released him on bail but said the first available date for a trial would be 4 September 2028.

He said: “It just can’t be right that a case of this nature has to be adjourned until 2028, but that’s beyond my control.”