Controversial Canadian Swim Coach Cecil Russell Banned for Life…Again

Cecil Russell, at the very least, is a very divisive figure in Canadian swimming. The coach has experienced a lot of success over the years, but has also turned many heads with convictions of deep involvement in drug (both performance-enhancing and not) distribution along with a multitude of other law-breaking offenses that often go along with the black market business…including murder. It appeared he had put all that behind him, however, when in 2005 he was allowed back into swimming after serving 8 years of a supposed lifetime ban from coaching in the sport, following a steroid-related conviction. That decision, however, has just been effectively overturned based on the fact that Russell achieved the reinstatement fraudulently, as a result of not disclosing a past drug-related conviction in 2004.

This case reads like a poorly written crime fiction novel at times, as conspiracy theories run rampant. The most shocking of which is Russell’s involvement in the murder and disposal of a body in a silo adjacent to his farm. Mr. Russell was not brought up on any charges, after he agreed to help police by providing information on the man eventually convicted of the murder, his steroid-ring associate, Leo Pilotte.

But murder conspiracies aside, the reason Russell was actually suspended from swimming (and jailed) was his extensive involvement in a steroid distribution ring involving at least four countries, that saw him making as much as 1 million dollars/year off of steroid sales. His lifetime ban, however, was overturned in 2005 (despite opposition from much of Canadian Swimming), when an arbitrator ruled that he could return to the sport.

The new reversal of that 2005 ruling now comes as a result of law officials learning of a previous drug conviction that Russell had not revealed. Canadian newspapers revealed that Russell had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute Ecstasy in Arizona in 2004. A later investigation revealed the court records of said conviction.

Paul Melia, President and CEO of the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport, stated that “As a parent myself, I am also reminded of how important it is for parents to have full knowledge of who they entrust their children to in sport. Coaches play a very important role in our communities – they influence and help educate our children – not just in sport but in life.”

The story, however, is not completely one-sided against Mr. Russell, as many of his former swimmers avidly support the man. Supporters proclaim that he has served his time and should be allowed to move on with his life.