Australian Commonwealth Games pole vaulter Amanda Bisk has come forward with multiple disturbing allegations against former Australian athletics coach Alex Parnov.
Athletics Australia announced on Friday it was eager to hear from other potential victims following an investigation. made by the AustralianHe alleged that the coach had behaved inappropriately towards some athletes during his time working at the Western Australian Institute of Sports (WAIS) between 1998 and 2019.
The newspaper writes that he has been accused of “grooming, propositioning and sexually harassing” some of Australia’s most talented athletes, including gold medalist Nina Kennedy.
Those allegations are understood to have led to an investigation in 2019, which ultimately saw the Russian-born pole vault coach leave his position at WAIS, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
Simon Hollingsworth, CEO of Athletics Australia called their alleged behavior patterns “Totally unacceptable and deeply distressing” before stating that they were “deeply sorry for the harm they caused to athletes and staff.”
Bisk was accepted into Parnov’s training team in 2006, when she was 20 years old.
Former Australian pole vaulter Amanda Bisk (pictured) has come forward with multiple disturbing allegations about a former Australian coach.
It comes as an investigation by The Australian has revealed that several athletes have made allegations about former pole vault coach Alex Parnov (pictured).
With the 2010 Commonwealth Games in his sights, Bisk began traveling abroad to compete with the team. During a trip to Japan, she told how she was subjected to alleged sexual assault by Parnov.
“We went to a competition in Japan and I had my own room, but it was pretty common practice for him to be in our rooms regularly to review footage or talk about the competition and all that kind of stuff,” she said. The Australian.
‘So the night before our competition, he came to my room and I could smell the alcohol. I thought, wow, he looks a little drunk. He said, “I just wanted to come and talk about tomorrow’s competition and tuck you in.”
‘I was a naive young woman. I was a late bloomer. So I thought, “Oh, tuck you in like a father, say you’re going to do great in the competition tomorrow and whatever.” But then he got into bed with me.
“I was nervous and shaking, and I didn’t understand what was happening. I could feel that I had an erection and I was rubbing it. I started crying, crying, and he was saying inappropriate things like, ‘I have this because of you.’ I was crying and begging him to stop so much that luckily he did. I realized he was frustrated with me. I just stayed in bed and waited for him to go away, and he did.
The newspaper details that Bisk was crying as he reflected on the moment.
The pole vaulter later said that Parnov would act as if nothing had happened after the alleged assault.
“I thought the next day would be… well, I thought it would be strange… but he just acted normal and it was very strange,” she added.
Speaking to The Australian, Bisk alleged that the former coach had sexually assaulted her.
Bisk, a qualified yoga instructor, added: “I’m so, so, so sad because I’m not the only one.” I can’t believe things have happened to other girls and women.
The 38-year-old pole vaulter would retire in 2011. She was also later diagnosed with chronic fatigue.
The pain of missing out on the opportunity to attend the 2012 London Olympics led her to “isolate herself from sport”, and Bisk said she couldn’t bring herself to watch the games because she felt like she “should have been there”.
Bisk later took on the role of assistant coach at WAIS under Parnov between 2011 and 2013, working alongside Kennedy and Emma Philippe.
Kennedy is among athletes who have spoken to The Australian about Parnov’s “harmful conduct”, and the newspaper’s investigation reportedly uncovered texts, emails and video footage that the newspaper says expose Parnov’s alleged actions.
Kennedy, who claimed gold in Paris this summer, spoke to The Australian about the matter.
‘Athletes deserve to feel safe and supported; “However, I believe the organizations responsible for safeguarding us failed to protect me and others and allowed my former coach’s harmful conduct to persist for over a decade,” he said.
The Australian reports that Parnov is supposed to live in Russia and has not responded to questions. The police are investigating the matter.
Parnov (left) worked as a pole vault coach for WAIS between 1998 and 2019.
“Given the sensitive nature of this matter with respect to potential victims, WA Police will not be providing any details on specific matters raised, nor confirmation of any potential investigation that may have commenced,” the statement read.
WA Police and WAIS are setting up a reporting hotline for athletes who have been affected by Parnov’s alleged behaviour, according to a report from WA today.
WA Minister for Recreation and Sport David Templeman convened a meeting with WAIS president Neale Fong and chief executive Matt Fulton on Monday.
“The new board immediately instigated a review of the handling of the Parnov case and hired a WA Police inspector to carry out a review,” he said.
‘When the review was completed, I was informed that the athlete central to the allegation did not want the matter to be pursued further while they were actively preparing for the Paris Olympics. I supported the board of directors and CEO in their decision to respect the athlete’s wishes.
“Following the release of detailed allegations on Friday, I requested an additional briefing with (Fong) and (Fulton) to learn about the actions taken since they became aware of the allegations in November 2023.”
WAIS chair, Fong, issued a statement on Saturday on behalf of the organization, stating: “WAIS had a duty of care to the athletes and it is clear that in Parnov’s case, the organization did not do enough to protect them.”
He said the board was “horrified” by the allegations, adding: “While the current board has been aware of some allegations against Mr Parnov, the disturbing accounts published in The Australian newspaper are much more extensive than previously known. WAIS encourages all athletes affected by this matter to contact WA Police.
Athletics Australia has addressed allegations against Parnov (pictured), one of the country’s top coaches.
Where to find help:
National Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counseling Service 24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732
24-hour emergency accommodation helpline at 1800 800 588
Safe at Home helpline at 1800 633 937
National Violence and Abuse Trauma Recovery and Counseling Service in 1800 FULLSTOP (1800 385 578). They also have a specific line for the LGBTIQA+ community called Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline at 1800 497 212.
ELLA (free and confidential advice and support) at 6278 9090
Sexual Assault Support Services at 6231 1811, or after hours 6231 1817
Family Violence Care and Crisis Service at 1800 608 122
Bravehearts – Supporting children in sexual assault cases in 1800 BRAVE 1
Kids Helpline is for young people aged 5 to 25 on 1800 551 800