UCI Bans Male Coach for 10 Years for Humiliation, Intimidation, Infantilization While at Women’s Team

The UCI slammed Ladislav Demko with a 10-year ban after it concluded a formal investigation into allegations against him related to his time working as head of performance at the women’s continental team, Hess Cycling.

The UCI ethics commission opened the case after a rider formerly coached by the Slovakian and with whom he had a personal relationship made allegations of harassment and psychological abuse.

Several Hess team staffers also filed complaints of professional misconduct against Demko, now aged 52.

In a press note issued Friday, the UCI said the ethics commission concluded that Demko’s actions included “isolation,” “humiliation,” and “infantilization.”

“The commission concluded that Mr Demko’s conduct towards the riders and staff of the team – in particular the habitual use of aggressive and disrespectful language in the working environment, the unsafe and intimidating driving of team vehicles, and demeaning remarks concerning the physical appearance of staff and riders – had fallen short of the standards of integrity, care and diligence required of persons bound by the UCI Code of Ethics, and had involved an abuse of the position he held within the team,” read the statement.

The UCI note detailed that Demko requested an athlete to sever contact with people she trusted, humiliated and denigrated her on social media, and made threats to her contacts.

The full UCI statement can be found below.

Demko banned and fined in extreme penalty

In one of the most severe punishments in recent memory, the UCI banned Demko from taking part in any officially sanctioned cycling-related activity for a period of 10 years. He was also fined and ordered to cover court costs.

Demko has the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Hess Cycling – a Conti-level British team – collapsed last summer citing budgetary pressures. The squad shuttered after a year roiled in controversy, including accusations of missed payments to riders and a fraud investigation into the owner’s business.

Demko worked with the team in 2024. He has since been linked with amateur “training camp” vacation packages in Mallorca, Spain.

UCI statement concerning Mr Ladislav Demko

“The Commission opened a formal investigation and, in the course of its proceedings, collected documentary evidence, heard complainants and was assisted by an independent external trauma-informed investigator engaged at its request. Mr Demko was invited on several occasions to submit his written comments and was afforded the opportunity to be heard and to call witnesses.

“Based on the elements brought to its attention, the Commission concluded that Mr Demko’s conduct towards the riders and staff of the team – in particular the habitual use of aggressive and disrespectful language in the working environment, the unsafe and intimidating driving of team vehicles, and demeaning remarks concerning the physical appearance of staff and riders – had fallen short of the standards of integrity, care and diligence required of persons bound by the UCI Code of Ethics, and had involved an abuse of the position he held within the team.

“The Commission further concluded that Mr Demko’s conduct towards the athlete he coached had involved acts of isolation – including requests to sever contact with persons she trusted, the dictation of the content of her messages to them, and a threatening message addressed to her psychologist –, humiliation by way of public denigration on social media, intimidation – including threats to disclose personal information and a threat directed against a person she trusted –, and infantilization. These acts, which persisted after the end of their relationship, had the effect of diminishing her sense of identity, dignity and self-worth. The fact that the above conduct arose within a consensual personal relationship between two adults did not remove it from the scope of the UCI Code of Ethics, given the coaching and dependent relationship between Mr Demko and the rider.

“As a result, Mr Demko was found to have committed breaches of Articles 5 (General principles) and 6.4 (Protection of physical and mental integrity) of the UCI Code of Ethics, read together with Article 2.1 (Psychological abuse) of Appendix 1 of the UCI Code of Ethics. Article 2.6 (Minors and other dependent persons) of Appendix 1 of the UCI Code of Ethics was retained as an aggravating circumstance.

“The Commission imposed a ban on Mr Demko from taking part in any cycling-related activity organised by the UCI or any of its affiliates for a period of 10 years, as well as a fine. Mr Demko was further ordered to bear the costs of the proceedings.

“The UCI acknowledges the courage of the individuals who came forward in this matter, and recalls that any form of harassment or abuse is incompatible with the values of cycling.

“The UCI takes note of the decision of the Ethics Commission – which remains subject to appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) – and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of cycling and to ensuring a safe environment for all those who take part in the sport.

“In line with this objective, the UCI issues a reminder that it provides a confidential and secure reporting platform, UCI SpeakUp, where individuals are encouraged to report any safeguarding or ethics concerns.”