British sport is braced for another abuse scandal after British Canoeing and elite funding agency UK Sport confirmed they are about to launch a second investigation into serious allegations against a coach.
British Canoeing approached UK Sport for help with setting up an inquiry when new claims emerged against a member of its coaching staff in April.
The coach has been suspended since December when a female athlete complained he had asked her to perform a sexual act in return for selection for the Rio Games.
In a statement, British Canoeing said: "As a result of allegations received by British Canoeing in December 2016, a member of our performance team was suspended and an independent investigation was immediately initiated.
"This investigation has been concluded but until a hearing has taken place we are unable to comment further on this matter.
"In April of this year we received further and separate allegations of an historical nature and we have been working with UK Sport to commission a second independent investigation into these matters. Once again we are unable to comment further at this time.
"British Canoeing was very concerned to receive each of these allegations. We take these matters extremely seriously and will ensure that they are appropriately and fully dealt with."
A statement from UK Sport confirmed it has been in regular contact with British Canoeing since December.
It added: "We are also able to confirm that we are working with British Canoeing to establish a second and separate independent investigation about further allegations which were received in April 2017. This investigation will commence shortly."
This could draw canoeing into the child abuse scandal that has rocked British football over the last nine months.
Dozens of British police forces are still investigating more than 1,000 historic cases, involving 250 clubs, around the country, while the Football Association has commissioned its own independent investigation led by Clive Sheldon QC.