KUALA LUMPUR - A Chinese Olympian who now coaches the Malaysian aquatics team has been arrested by police over allegations that he raped a national diving athlete.

City police chief Datuk Amar Singh said the 35-year-old coach is alleged to have raped the girl on Sept 26 at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil, the New Straits Times reported on Tuesday (Oct 3).

This is the first major allegation of sexual abuse in the Malaysian sporting fraternity for more than two decades, the daily said.

"The victim lodged a report on Sunday in fear of her own safety," Singh said in a statement.

The suspect, who is said to have represented China in the 2012 London Olympic Games, has been working in Malaysia for more than five years.

He is said to be married to a Malaysian and has permanent resident status, the report said.