The three-time Olympian who turned whistleblower against former pole vault coach Alex Parnov has revealed that he was sacked for standing up for female athletes.
Paul Burgess, a pole vault coach and three-time Olympian, reported misconduct by his former coach Alex Parnov, who has been accused of sexually harassing female athletes over decades.
Multiple allegations, including inappropriate touching, propositions, and coercion have been raised by Australian athletes including Paris Olympics gold medal winner Nina Kennedy.
However Burgess said he those allegations were ignored or mishandled by sports authorities at the time they were raised back in 2016.
‘I knew I’d been making trouble by demanding answers,’ Burgess told The Australian.
He saw the video of Parnov running his hands down the back and buttocks of Kennedy when she was only 18 years old that was posted on Instagram by athlete Angus Armstrong in 2016.
Australian Olympian and coach Paul Burgess claims he was sacked after raising allegations of misconduct against former pole vault coach Alex Parnov
Vision from 2016 shows Parnov running his hand down Kennedy’s back and onto her buttocks when she was just 18
Despite providing evidence, including the video of inappropriate contact with Nina Kennedy, WA Institute of Sport (WAIS) leadership dismissed his concerns, giving Parnov only an unofficial warning.
WAIS chief executive Steve Lawrence has since replied to those allegations, telling The Australian: ‘This matter is the subject of a confidential and legally privileged investigation report and I am not able to make further public comment on that confidential report.’
Burgess continued to press for action, citing systemic issues in how WAIS handled complaints, but claims he was met with resistance and attempts to discredit him.
In 2019, WAIS terminated Parnov’s contract following an investigation that confirmed misconduct but chose not to report findings to the police or disclose details publicly.
Burgess pushed for greater accountability, but his persistence led to backlash, including being barred from WAIS premises and accused of being mentally unstable.
In 2023, he lodged 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.
‘It was shocking to me that they were prepared to blow the Olympic pole vaulting program on the eve of Paris,’ Burgess said.
Australian gold medal-winning Olympian Nina Kennedy is one of seven athletes to raise complaints against former coach Alex Parnov
Despite this, his athletes, including Kennedy, succeeded, with Kennedy winning gold.
Daily Mail Australia reached out to Parnov, who is now believed to be living in Russia, but he did not reply.
Now, Athletics Australia wants to hear from any other potential victims.
The governing body’s CEO Simon Hollingsworth on Saturday released a statement to say it ‘acknowledges the highly concerning reports about the conduct of Alex Parnov during his time as a pole vault coach at the Western Australian Institute of Sport … between 1998 and 2019’.
The state’s police force confirmed it is working with the institute and Sport Integrity Australia and ‘can confirm that matters involving potential criminal conduct were brought to the attention of WA Police for independent assessment’.
Olympic gold medallist Nina Kennedy is among the athletes who spoke to The Australian about Parnov’s ‘harmful conduct’ while she was coached by him.
Numerous complaints by athletes led to an investigation in 2019, which resulted in the institute terminating Russian-born Parnov’s contract.
‘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,’ Hollingsworth said.
Athletics Australia has addressed allegations against Alex Parnov (pictured), one of the country’s top coaches
‘We support those who have spoken up and encourage any others who may have experienced unacceptable behaviours 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 had not responded to questions.
Police investigations continue.
‘Given the sensitive nature of this matter in respect to potential victims, WA Police will not be providing any details regarding specific matters raised, or confirmation of any potential investigations that may have commenced,’ the statement read.
Parnov worked for the institute between 1998 and 2019.
The sporting organisation has been criticised for not acting strongly enough when complaints were made years before an investigation was launched in 2019.
‘Upon being informed of the WAIS investigation findings in 2019, Athletics Australia revoked Mr Parnov’s coaching accreditation and imposed a lifetime ban on obtaining re-accreditation, ensuring he could no longer be involved in the sport in Australia,’ Hollingsworth said.
Numerous complaints by athletes led to an investigation in 2019, which resulted in the institute terminating Russian-born Parnov’s contract (Parnov pictured with Steve Hooker)
‘In subsequent years, clear directives were issued by AA to prevent his participation in any athletics-related activity both in Australia and abroad.’
Hollingsworth said his organisation will conduct a review into the period Parnov was coaching at both the institute and with various Australian teams abroad
‘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,’ he said.
