More disturbing allegations about pole vault coach Alex Parnov surface

Commonwealth Games pole vaulter Amanda Bisk is the latest athlete to make disturbing allegations against former Western Australian Institute of Sport coach Alex Parnov.

In the aftermath of pole vault superstar Nina Kennedy’s recent allegations about the coach, Bisk, now 38, has followed suit, alleging Parnov climbed into her bed when under the influence of alcohol in 2009.

Bisk was 20 and the alleged incident happened during a tournament in Japan, the year before she represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

“So the night before our competition, he came to my room, and I could smell alcohol,” Bisk told The Australian.

“I thought, ‘Wow, he seems a bit drunk’. He said, ‘I just wanted to come and talk about the comp tomorrow and tuck you in’.

“I was this naive, young girl. I was a late bloomer. So I thought, ‘Oh, tuck you in like a parent, say you’re going to do great at the comp tomorrow, and whatever.’ But then he actually got into the bed with me.

“I was nervous and shaking, and I didn’t understand what was happening. I could feel he had an erection, and he was rubbing it on me. I just started bursting into tears, 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, thankfully, he did. I could tell he was frustrated with me. I just stayed in bed and hoped he would leave, and he did.”

She said in the days that followed the alleged incident, Parnov acted as though it had never happened.

WA Police are now investigating allegations of inappropriate behaviour which were first raised by The Australian after a reported two months of investigation.

Parnov worked at the WAIS between 1998 and 2019.

Kennedy told the masthead her concerns had been weighing on her for years, and she believed they weren’t taken seriously when first raised.

“Athletes deserve to feel safe and supported; however, I believe the organisations responsible for safeguarding us failed to protect myself and others,” Kennedy said.

“I don’t believe the outcome of the 2019 investigation truly represented or brought to light the seriousness of the alleged misconduct.

“I also don’t believe the repercussions post-investigation delivered by WAIS accurately matched the severity of the allegations and findings.

“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.”

There are now seven women who have made allegations about Parnov, and Athletics Australia says it wants to hear from any other potential victims.

Athletics Australia CEO Simon Hollingsworth issued a statement on Saturday evening.

“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.

“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 was believed to be in Russia and had not responded to questions.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.