David Templeman briefed on claims WAIS pole vault coach Alex Parnov preyed on athletes including Nina Kennedy

A pathway will be set up for WA athletes to lodge complaints to police in the wake of explosive allegations Olympic pole vault coach Alex Parnov preyed on female athletes.

Sports Minister David Templeman has confirmed he was told in 2023 about the claims, but has ruled out a State Government inquiry after meeting with WA Institute of Sport officials, including chair Neale Fong, on Monday.

“I am confident that all the appropriate processes, procedures and policies are now in place to ensure athlete safety and wellbeing,” Mr Templeman said in a statement.

“Further, I am informed that WAIS has been in recent discussions with WA Police in relation to setting up a dedicated complaints pathway and is in the process of writing to all former athletes coached by Parnov to advise them of the pathway.”

Mr Fong and the WAIS board issued an apology on Saturday for the “hurt and trauma” suffered by female athletes, who have come forward to claim they were preyed on.

Mr Fong said the new board “abided” by a request from Olympic gold medallist Nina Kennedy to “not reopen the Parnov issues” ahead of the Paris Games.

Mr Templeman said he supported that decision.

“I was made aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a pole vault coach in November 2023,” he said.

“The new Board immediately instigated a review of the handling of the Parnov case and contracted an inspector of WA Police to carry out a review.

“When the review was completed I was informed that the athlete central to the allegation did not want the matter pursued while they were actively preparing for the Paris Olympics. I supported the Board and CEO in their decision to respect the athlete’s wishes.”

But The Australian reported on Monday that coach Paul Burgess was suddenly banned from WAIS venues three months out from the Olympics, after he escalated concerns over a lack of action.

“I’m not fully briefed on what the allegations are but from I’ve seen (I’m) disgusted by what’s alleged to have occurred,” Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti told reporters on Monday.

“The Minister for Sport is receiving a full briefing this morning and from that I think there’ll be further comments made.”

WA Police are examining claims ex-Olympian coach Mr Parnov had preyed on a number of young female athletes — including gold medallist Nina Kennedy — after WAIS confirmed it had conducted an independent review.

Three-time Olympian Mr Burgess was coached by Mr Parnov from 1998 and had suspicions early on Mr Parnov was allegedly acting inappropriately towards some athletes, according to The Australian.

Mr Burgess was forced to resign as WAIS head pole vault coach in April, 2024 after a series of complaints.

According to a report in The Australian, in 2016 Mr Burgess saw a video of Parnov allegedly touching then-18-year-old Kennedy down down her back and bottom that caused him to sound the alarm to WAIS human resources manager Sharon Foster.

Mr Burgess told The Australian that Ms Foster had raised the complaint with WAIS chief executive Steve Lawrence who had reportedly decided not to go through “formal channels” for the incident and instead give Mr Parnov a “strong, unofficial warning”.