WAIS admits it failed to protect athletes from alleged abuse by pole vault coach Alex Parnov
The Western Australian Institute of Sport has apologised and urged complainants to contact police, after admitting they failed to protect athletes from alleged abuse by pole vault coach Alex Parnov.
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The WAIS has admitted the sporting organisation failed in its response to allegations of abuse committed by pole vault coach Alex Parnov as Athletics Australia issued an apology to the alleged victims and called upon Sport Integrity Australia to independently review how the sport handled complaints during his 15-years of elite coaching.
An explosive investigation by the Australian revealed allegations that Parnov groomed, propositioned, sexually harassed and inappropriately touched several young pole vaulters during his 15 years with the Western Australian Institute of Sport.
Paris Olympics gold medallist Nina Kennedy was among the athletes to speak out – revealing she had been fighting for years for the sporting body to deal with Parnov’s inappropriate behaviour.
Parnov was sacked by the WAIS in 2019 after an investigation into reports about his behaviour but it never revealed the reason or findings from the investigation.
Athletics Australia confirmed on Saturday Parnov had been given a lifetime coaching ban in Australia after they were made aware of the 2019 findings.
READ THE FULL STORY BY THE AUSTRALIAN HERE
WAIS Chair Dr Neale Fong fronted the media in Perth on Saturday.
“WAIS had a duty of care to athletes and it is clear that in the case of Parnov, the organisation did not do enough to protect them,” Fong said.
“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. WAIS encourages all athletes impacted by this matter to contact the WA Police.”
The WAIS board was replaced in late 2023. Fong said it had a specific mandate to “improve culture and focus on athlete safety and wellbeing.”
He said the board was appalled by the allegations.
“The WAIS board is profoundly sorry for the hurt and trauma experienced by these athletes and recognises their courage in speaking publicly about terrible events that should never have occurred.”
Fong said the board had been made aware of a grievances against Parnov, which when reviewed had not been handled.
“Keeping in mind the privacy and wishes of the individuals affected, WAIS immediately commissioned an independent analytical review of the documented history in relation to Parnov and the Pole Vault Program while he was Head Coach. WAIS has constantly encouraged further investigation of the Parnov issues,” Fong said.
Sports Integrity Australia said it had embedded a National Integrity Manager into WAIS to provide the institute with support in managing integrity related issues as well as implementing recommendations made in a review released by WAIS earlier this year.
SIA has also agreed to facilitate at review into how Athletics Australia acted during Parnov’s employment.
Dr Sarah Benson, Sport Integrity Australia acting Chief Executive Officer said “There is no place for these behaviours in sport. All athletes have the right to a safe environment and to be supported and protected. It is important that poor behaviour and abuse in sport is called out and dealt with accordingly.”
“Sport Integrity Australia will continue to work with our many partners and athletes across the sport ecosystem to strengthen frameworks, policies and processes to ensure we are all playing our role in creating safe environments for athletes, embedding safe practices and protocols.” This year the Federal Government invested more than $36.3 million dollars to increase Sport Integrity Australia’s ability to tackle abuse, bullying, discrimination, and sexual misconduct.
WAIS commissioned an independent review into the time Parnov was employed by them.
An experienced Inspector of police was seconded from the WA Police Force to conduct the review.
The report strongly urged WAIS to ensure that complainants were involved in the resolution strategies of the review.
With the Olympics on the horizon Kennedy opted not to reopen old wounds.
“WAIS leadership has been in contact with Nina post the Paris games regarding the review report. Nina is much loved, respected and valued member of the WAIS family. Her experience with Mr Parnov as a young athlete was unacceptable and WAIS is committed to working through the review report with her, when she is ready,” Fong said.
Athletics Australia CEO Simon Hollingsworth described the alleged behaviour as “totally unacceptable and deeply distressing” and said the sporting body had asked Sports Integrity Australia to review it’s handling of any complaints during Parnov’s tenure.
“Athletics Australia acknowledges the highly concerning reports about the conduct of Alex Parnov during this time as a pole vault coach at the WAIS,” the statement said.
“The reports identify patterns of behaviour that are totally unacceptable and deeply distressing and we are profoundly sorry for the harm that they caused to athletes and staff.” He said in relation to the allegations.
Hollingsworth said that after being informed of the findings from the 2019 investigation by the WAIS it revoked Parnov’s coaching accreditation and imposed a lifetime ban on him being re-accredited.
“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,” Hollingsworth said.
“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.”
READ THE FULL STORY BY THE AUSTRALIAN HERE
An Australian Olympic Committee spokeswoman said it was “deeply concerned” by the revelations shared by athletes.
“The AOC is deeply concerned by the content of the report,” the spokeswoman said.
“The welfare of athletes is and will continue to be our greatest priority. The AOC, along with the community broadly, has an expectation that the people who surround an athlete should conduct themselves to the highest standard of integrity.
“Anything less is totally unacceptable.
“We encourage any athlete or individual who’s seen or experienced harmful behaviours to feel empowered to come forward and report it.”
The spokeswoman said there were support services available through the Sport Integrity Australia, the Australian Institute of Sport’s Mental Health Referral Network or a sporting body’s complaints handling processes.
Originally published as WAIS admits it failed to protect athletes from alleged abuse by pole vault coach Alex Parnov
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