Police assessing ‘potential criminal conduct’ involving former WAIS and Olympic pole-vault coach Alex Parnov

Western Australian Police are assessing “potential criminal conduct” involving former Olympic pole-vault coach Alex Parnov in the wake of allegations that he groomed, propositioned, sexually harassed and inappropriately touched multiple young female athletes in his care.

As revealed by The Weekend Australian, the acclaimed pole-vaulting coach was engaged in a pattern of predatory behaviour that was ignored and then kept secret by the West Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) for more than 15 years.

The Russian-born Parnov is alleged to have groomed, propositioned, sexually harassed and inappropriately touched multiple young female athletes in his care.

The reports include Olympic champions Nina Kennedy and Steve Hooker speaking out about the culture of “harm” and abuse and how sporting bodies ignored athletes claims.

The investigation by The Australian has uncovered a trove of texts, emails and incriminating video, as well as secret reports of incidents that should have been reported to police.

With the WAIS having persistently failed in its duty of care to young gymnasts, these latest revelations raising disturbing questions about how the body repeatedly failed to act on allegations of inappropriate conduct.

The Australian’s report referenced having spoken to seven women who alleged they were sexually harassed and inappropriately touched by Parnov. Three claim they were groomed by the coach.

Despite multiple complaints dating back to 2009, the WAIS failed to take any significant action against Parnov, even when it became aware of a 2016 video showing him sliding his hand down the bottom of a then-18-year-old Nina Kennedy.

Kennedy, who endured grossly inappropriate behaviour from Parnov over a period of several years, advised “I’ve been fighting this battle behind closed doors, in my own way, while trying to reach and succeed at the pinnacle of my sport.

“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; all the other individuals didn’t get that chance - which is heartbreaking.”

Parnov was also secretly taking a cut from the earnings of many of his athletes, despite already being paid by WAIS, demanding up to 15% of their winnings, sponsorships and scholarships. One athlete paid Parnov more than $160,000.

When WAIS finally terminated Parnov’s contract in 2019 it declined to state the reasons, allowing him to seek employment coaching other young female athletes.

Since the time of Parnov’s alleged actions and the abuse of gymnasts, WAIS has had a new board and chief executive appointed.

However, the new board, headed by Chairman Dr Neale Fong, had not revealed the matter.

A report last year by a Western Australia Police officer seconded to investigate the misconduct found that some of the complaints of sexual and financial misconduct by Parnov were so serious they should have been taken to the authorities.

As of today, Dr Fong said these were “terrible events that should never have occurred”.

Former pole vaulter Paul Burgess, who helped coach Kennedy to both world championship and Olympic gold, advised that he was sacked by the WAIS as he sought to act on allegations against Parnov.

He advised “what I would like is for the system to change, and to me it seems no one is holding the taxpayer-funded Western Australian Institute of Sport to account, I believe there needs to be a truly independent investigation into WAIS.”

Parnov is understood to now be living in Russia.

Click here to view the WAIS response to The Weekend Australian report.

Image: Alex Parnov.