Track coach Alberto Salazar’s appeal of his lifetime ban for sexual misconduct was rejected by the U.S. Center for SafeSport in the latest, and possibly final, defeat of his once-storied career.

Track coach Alberto Salazar has been permanently banned by the U.S. Center for SafeSport for sexual and emotional misconduct.

Track and field is facing a painful and public reckoning with the treatment of some female athletes. Former teen running star Mary Cain's account this week of alleged physical and emotional abuse at the recently disbanded Nike Oregon Project is prompting more top athletes to come forward. The sportswear giant added it will "take the allegations extremely seriously and will launch an immediate investigation to hear from former Oregon Project athletes." Flanagan, the 2017 New York City Marathon champion, is a longtime Nike runner but was never part of the Oregon Project. Goucher, a former Oregon Project runner who helped provide evidence for USADA's case against Salazar, said on Twitter "the culture was unbearable."