Three-time Olympian Paul Burgess who turned whistle-blower was SACKED after raising the alarm over alleged misconduct from former coach Alex Parnov

The three-time Olympian turned whistleblower against former pole vault coach Alex Parnov has revealed he was fired for standing up for female athletes.

Pole vault coach and three-time Olympian Paul Burgess reported misconduct by his former coach Alex Parnov, who has been accused of sexually harassing female athletes for decades.

Multiple allegations, including inappropriate touching, propositioning and coercion, have been made by Australian athletes, including Paris Olympic gold medalist Nina Kennedy.

However, Burgess said these allegations were ignored or mishandled by the sporting authorities when they were raised in 2016.

“I knew I was causing trouble by demanding answers,” Burgess said The Australian.

He saw the video of Parnov running his hands over Kennedy’s back and buttocks when she was just 18 years old, posted to Instagram by athlete Angus Armstrong in 2016.

Despite providing evidence, including the video of inappropriate contact with Nina Kennedy, the WA Institute of Sport (WAIS) leadership has dismissed his concerns and only issued Parnov an unofficial warning.

WAIS chief executive Steve Lawrence has since responded to these allegations, telling The Australian: “This matter is the subject of a confidential and legally privileged investigative report and I am unable to make any further public comment on that confidential report.”

Burgess continued to push for action, citing systemic problems in the way WAIS handled complaints, but claims he was met with resistance and attempts to discredit him.

In 2019, WAIS terminated Parnov’s contract after an investigation that confirmed misconduct but chose not to report the findings to police or make details public.

Burgess pushed for more accountability, but his persistence led to backlash, including being barred from WAIS buildings and accused of being mentally unstable.

In 2023, he filed formal grievances against WAIS management, but the subsequent review undermined his credibility.

Ultimately, Burgess was pressured to resign in 2024, just months before the Paris Olympics.

“I found it shocking that they were willing to cancel the Olympic pole vault program on the eve of Paris,” Burgess said.

Despite this, his athletes, including Kennedy, succeeded, with Kennedy winning gold.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Parnov, who is now believed to be living in Russia, but he did not respond.

Now Athletics Australia wants to hear from other potential victims.

The governing body’s chief executive, Simon Hollingsworth, released a statement on Saturday saying it “acknowledges the deeply concerning reports surrounding the conduct of Alex Parnov during his time as pole vault coach at the Western Australian Institute of Sport… between 1998 and 2019”.

State Police confirmed it is working with the institute and Sport Integrity Australia and “can confirm that matters involving possible criminal conduct have been brought to the attention of WA Police for independent review”.

Olympic gold medalist Nina Kennedy is among the athletes who spoke to The Australian about Parnov’s “harmful behavior” while she was coached by him.

Numerous complaints from athletes led to an investigation in 2019, which led to the institute terminating the Russian-born Parnov’s contract.

“The reports identify patterns of behavior that are completely unacceptable and deeply disturbing, and we are deeply sorry for the harm they have caused to athletes and staff,” Hollingsworth said.

‘We support those who have spoken out and encourage others who may have experienced unacceptable behavior to come forward and speak to us confidentially so that further action can be taken.’

The Australian reported that Parnov is believed to be in Russia and has not responded to questions.

The police investigation continues.

“Given the sensitive nature of this case involving potential victims, WA Police will not provide details of specific matters raised nor confirm any investigations that may have been initiated,” the statement said.

Parnov worked for the institute between 1998 and 2019.

The sports body has been criticized for not taking strong enough action when complaints were made years before an investigation was launched in 2019.

‘When Athletics Australia was made aware of the findings of the WAIS investigation in 2019, it revoked Mr Parnov’s coaching accreditation and imposed a lifetime ban from obtaining re-accreditation, preventing him from being involved in the sport in Australia,” Hollingsworth said.

“In subsequent years, clear guidelines were issued by AA to prevent his participation in athletics-related activities, both in Australia and abroad.”

Hollingsworth said his organization will conduct a review into Parnov’s time coaching at both the institute and several Australian teams abroad.

“Athletics Australia has asked Sport Integrity Australia to support a review of how Athletics Australia acted during Mr Parnov’s period of coaching in our sport, including how any complaints about his conduct were managed,” he said.