Black athlete recounts ‘traumatic’ police stops at officers’ misconduct tribunal

Ricardo dos Santos outside Palestra House, central London, where he gave evidence to the misconduct hearing. Photograph: James Manning/PA

An athlete who was pulled over while driving home from training with his partner and baby has clashed with lawyers representing the police officers who stopped him, saying they cannot understand what it is like being a young black person in London.

Ricardo dos Santos, who represents Portugal, was with his partner, the Team GB athlete Bianca Williams, who was in the back with their son, when they were stopped by Met officers who handcuffed the couple, searched them for weapons and drugs and detained them for 45 minutes in July 2020.