Athletics Australia accused of failing in its duty of care to Peter Bol over controversy

Athletics Australia is being urged to work with the African community over fears race played a part in the treatment of Olympic hero Peter Bol.

Peter Bol‘s provisional doping ban was lifted this week. Picture: Michael Klein

Former Victorian of the Year Berhan Ahmed has called for cultural change at Athletics Australia and an investigation into treatment of Olympic hero Peter Bol.

Dual Olympian Bol is considering legal action after a provisional doping ban issued by Athletics Australia last month was this week lifted, clearing a return to the track.

Bol on Wednesday shared a series of videos of himself back training at the gym.

Dr Ahmed — an elder in the African-Australian community — said Athletics Australia had “absolutely” failed in its duty of care to Bol and “has to do something’’ to “recover this big, big problem’’.

“They need to think thoroughly about how this destroys not that person alone but the many people in the pipeline coming through the sport – it will affect them too,’’ he said.

“Due diligence is important here – and it doesn’t appear it was followed in this case – that is exactly the point.’’

Peter Bol is considering legal action. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Dr Ahmed, a senior research fellow at Melbourne University, said Athletics Australia needed to work closer with the African community which might now be concerned racism played a part in the controversy.

“He went through so much trauma, he and his family and many of the community,’’ Dr Ahmed said.

“Imagine a mountain falls on your head overnight and all your dreams shatter.

“That is why due diligence is important.’’

In a statement, Athletics Australia said “any suggestion that there is any level of racism involved in this issue is completely baseless … noting of course that Sport Integrity Australia is the lead agency in charge of anti-doping testing and investigation.’’

Former Victorian of the Year Berhan Ahmed says Athletics Australia has a ‘big, big problem’. Picture: George Salpigtidis

But Dr Ahmed said more diverse leadership was needed at the top to make Athletics Australia and other codes “culturally sensitive’

It comes amid calls for the Australia Day Council to return Bol to the Australian of the Year honours list, given his A sample result originally accusing him of being a drug cheat was leaked in the lead up to this year’s ceremony.

Dr Ahmed said timing of the leak could spark concerns about racism.

“That’s significantly something that needs to be looked at separately,’’ he said.

“The whole thing was a shock without doubt because the man was preparing himself for that sort of role.

“So the Australia Day Council and the authorities must be interested in how that happened at that time … come out and give a fair go for him.’’

Bol was suspended in January after a urine test showed signs of a banned performance-enhancing drug.

The ban was lifted on Monday, with Sport Integrity Australia and Athletics Australia stating his B-sample produced an “atypical finding”

Sport Integrity Australia is still investigating the matter.

State sports minister Steve Dimopoulos and federal sports minister Anika Wells failed to respond to questions about whether an investigation into the leak should be launched.

Dr Ahmed, Victorian of the Year in 2009, said the way the saga was handled could turn talented African youths off athletics.

“To be honest, this has created a cap on people’s potential to dream big and Athletics Australia has to come out to recover this big, big challenge,’’ he said.

“To get that perception corrected Athletics Australia has to come out into the open and work with the people who are being affected.’’

He greater leadership diversity was required.

“This is bad culture and to change that culture you need to move towards diversity and inclusiveness,’’ he said.