Horrific athletics allegations take grave turn with official response

Disturbing new details have emerged about the pole vault scandal that’s rocked Australian athletics with police and government officials now involved.

Western Australian Institute of Sport chairman Neale Fong says an experienced member of police will conduct an additional review into the disturbing allegations made against former pole vault coach Alex Parnov.

Australian athletics has been rocked by the scandal this week when allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the leading coach were made public.

In a bombshell report from The Australian, it was alleged that Parnov preyed on some of Australia’s best young female athletes and his inappropriate behaviour was kept secret by the West Australian institute of Sport (WAIS) for more than a decade.

The claims, cited in a two-month investigation conducted by The Australian, are now being examined by WA Police.

The state body released a statement on Monday where the organisation said it “did not do enough to protect” athletes at the time when the alleged inappropriate behaviour took place.

A new board took control of WAIS governance in 2023 and Fong says the current administration had not been made aware of some of the allegations reported by The Australian and Code Sports.

Fong and the WAIS board issued an apology for the “hurt and trauma” suffered by female athletes.

“The current board of the WAIS is appalled by the behaviour of former WAIS employee Alex Parnov and the devastating effect on athletes who were entitled to be safe in their sporting environment,” Fong said in a statement.

Nina Kennedy with Alex Parnov and Kennedy competing at the world championships. Photo: Supplied and Christian Petersen/Getty Images for World Athletics.

“While the current board has been aware of some allegations against Mr Parnov, the disturbing accounts published in The Australian newspaper are far more extensive than previously known.”

The WAIS confirmed Parnov has had no access to their venues since his employment was ceased in 2019. He had been coaching at the WAIS since 1998.

Australian golden girl Nina Kennedy was one of the women alleged to have been subjected to inappropriate behaviour by Parnov.

The 27-year-old won gold at this year’s Paris Olympics and shared the gold medal with American Katie Moon at the 2023 World Championships.

Kennedy told The Australian in a statement she made complaints to the WAIS and said a 2019 investigation into Parnov did not bring to light “the seriousness of the alleged misconduct”.

As reported by The Australian, allegations against Parnov were investigated by a private law firm in 2019. The findings of the investigation were not forwarded to WA Police.

WAIS chief executive Matt Fulton has told the newspaper the organisation now believes the matter should have been reported to police.

Fong has directly addressed Kennedy’s case and said the new board did not take action to reopen previous investigations into Parnov because it was the request made by the Olympic champion ahead of the Paris Games in July and August.

Kennedy competing at the Paris Olympics. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)

Western Australian Sports Minister David Templeman has said he supports the WAIS board’s decision to abide by Kennedy’s request.

“I was made aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a pole vault coach in November 2023,” Templeman said, per The West Australian.

“The new Board immediately instigated a review of the handling of the Parnov case and contracted an inspector of WA Police to carry out a review.

“When the review was completed I was informed that the athlete central to the allegation did not want the matter pursued while they were actively preparing for the Paris Olympics. I supported the Board and CEO in their decision to respect the athlete’s wishes.”

Templeman said WA Police and WAIS have begun discussions to establish a “dedicated complaints pathway” for athletes to raise any allegations of inappropriate behaviour directly with police.

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti also addressed the matter on Monday, telling reporters: “I’m not fully briefed on what the allegations are but from I’ve seen (I’m) disgusted by what’s alleged to have occurred.”

WAIS has also directly addressed Kennedy’s case. The organisation has apologised for her “unacceptable” experience with Parnov.

When contacted by The Australian, Kennedy made a powerful statement urging “positive change” to protect athletes in Australia and internationally.

“Athletes deserve to feel safe and supported; however, I believe the organisations responsible for safeguarding us failed to protect myself and others and enabled my former coach’s harmful conduct to persist for over a decade,” Kennedy wrote in a statement.

“I don’t believe the repercussions post-investigation delivered by WAIS accurately matched the severity of the allegations and findings.

“In this instance, I don’t believe the leadership board had the best interests of my wellbeing at heart.

“I’ve been fighting this battle behind closed doors, in my own way... This story has weighed on my shoulders for many years.

“It was only once my coach resigned that I felt like I could fulfil my potential and see what I could do in the sport.”

Athletics Australia’s statement said Parnov had been sacked and banned for life after learning of the allegations back in 2019, “ensuring he could no longer be involved in the sport in Australia”.

Parnov watching Hooker compete at the 2012 London Olympics. Photo: News Limited

“In subsequent years, clear directives were issued by AA to prevent his participation in any athletics-related activity both in Australia and abroad,” said AA chief executive Simon Hollingsworth, who competed in the 400m hurdles at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.

“While Mr Parnov was employed by the WAIS, we acknowledge his role as a coach on various Australian teams abroad and the trust that Athletics Australia placed in him.

“We recognise the significance and importance of robust safeguards and collaboration across the sporting landscape to prevent such conduct from occurring, to protect athletes at every level, and to provide safe avenues to raise concerns.

“Athletics Australia has asked Sport Integrity Australia to support a review of how Athletics Australia acted during the period Mr Parnov was coaching in our sport, including how any complaints about his behaviour were managed.

“Athletics Australia remains committed to continuous improvement in athlete safety and wellbeing and fostering a culture of respect and safety across all areas of the sport. “International sporting success and gold medals should never be a higher priority than athlete welfare.

“We will continue to work with athletes and coaches, Sport Integrity Australia and Institutes of Sport to ensure that athletes are protected from harm.

“For those impacted, we offer our unwavering support. Confidential support services are available through Athletics Australia and the Mental Health Referral Network.”

Originally published as Horrific athletics allegations take grave turn with official response