Athletics Australia has issued an apology to athletes impacted by Australian Olympic pole-vaulting coach Alex Parnov after allegations of inappropriate behaviour emerged.

Coaching at the Western Australian Institute of Sport from 1998 to 2019, seven women have alleged they were exposed to inappropriate conduct and actions by Parnov.

A two-month investigation conducted by The Australian found that the WAIS had failed to act when complaints had been made by athletes during the course of Parnov’s tenure.

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An investigation was conducted by the WAIS in 2019 that resulted in Parnov being whacked with a lifetime ban on obtaining re-accreditation to coach in the sport.

Further measures were also taken to ensure the 65-year-old would be prevented from participating in any athletics field across the globe.

Australian gold medallist Nina Kennedy and Steve Hooker have been vocal about the culture of abuse in the sport and the lack of response taken by sporting authorities to change the manner.

Kennedy, one of the several athletes to have lodged a complaint about Parnov, noted that the 2019 investigation into his actions did not lay bare “the seriousness of the alleged misconduct.”

“Athletes deserve to feel safe and supported; however, I believe the organisations responsible for safeguarding us failed to protect myself and others and enabled my former coach’s harmful conduct to persist for over a decade,” Kennedy wrote in a statement to The Australian.

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

“In this instance, I don’t believe the leadership board had the best interests of my wellbeing at heart.

“I’ve been fighting this battle behind closed doors, in my own way… This story has weighed on my shoulders for many years.

“It was only once my coach resigned that I felt like I could fulfil my potential and see what I could do in the sport.”

Hooker was coached by Parnov at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 where he took home the gold medal for Australia.

Supporting Kennedy’s statement, the 42-year-old said he felt the evidence found in the WAIS investigation should have been supplied when news of Parnov’s resignation was made public.

Athletics Australia issued an apology to all athletes who have been harmed by the actions of Parnov, insisting that athlete safety remains at the forefront of their values.

“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,” a statement by Athletics Australia said.

“We recognise the significance and importance of robust safeguards and collaboration across the sporting landscape to prevent such conduct from occurring, to protect athletes at every level, and to provide safe avenues to raise concerns.

“International sporting success and gold medals should never be a higher priority than athlete welfare.

“We will continue to work with athletes and coaches, Sport Integrity Australia and Institutes of Sport to ensure that athletes are protected from harm.”

Athletics Australia said they have requested a review to be conducted by Sport Integrity Australia into the handling of the organisation when complaints of Parnov’s behaviour were first made.