Former Australian sprint champion Jake Doran has been arrested and charged with an alleged child-related offence, prompting Australian Athletics to impose a provisional ban preventing him from participating in or attending athletics events and training.
Doran, 26, was arrested in Townsville, Queensland, and charged with one count of indecent treatment of a child under 16. Police allege the offence occurred in north Queensland between January 2025 and September 2026.
The former national 100m and 200m champion was released on bail and is scheduled to appear before the Townsville Magistrates Court on November 5.
The allegations have raised concerns in Australian athletics because of Doran’s previous achievements on the track. He won the Australian national 100m title in 2022 before going on to represent his country at the World Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Australian Athletics confirmed that it had taken provisional action following information about the charge, barring Doran from attending club, member association and national athletics events, as well as participating in athletics training.
The governing body stressed that the measure was intended to address participant safety while the legal process continued.
“The safety and wellbeing of all participants in our sport is paramount, and we take all allegations of this nature very seriously,” an Australian Athletics spokesperson said.
The organisation also clarified that Doran did not hold any paid or unpaid position within the national governing body.
Doran established himself as one of Australia’s leading sprinters in 2022 when he won the national 100m championship and the Oceania title. He subsequently competed at the World Athletics Championships and reached the semi-finals of the men’s 100m at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
He added another national title in 2023 by winning the Australian 200m championship.
Beyond competition, Doran had been involved in training athletes in Townsville and worked in business development at TAFE Queensland. The education provider said the allegations were understood to be unrelated to his employment and that there was no indication they involved its students, staff, training delivery, campus activities or operations.
The institution confirmed that Doran had been suspended from duty while the legal proceedings remained ongoing.
Queensland police are continuing their investigation into the allegations. Doran has been contacted for comment, according to reports, but a response was not included in the available coverage.
The case represents a significant development for a sprinter who once appeared among Australia’s promising talents in short-distance athletics. His national titles and appearances at major international competitions had established him as a recognised figure in the country’s sprinting community.
However, the criminal proceedings remain at an early stage. The charge is an allegation, and Doran has not been convicted. The court process will determine how the case proceeds and whether the allegations are proven.
Australian Athletics’ provisional restrictions mean he cannot participate in the sport’s organised events or training while the ban remains in force.
The case is expected to return to the courts when Doran appears at Townsville Magistrates Court on November 5.
