Whistleblower coach and triple Olympian Paul Burgess has recently joined the coaching team of American Katie Moon, who happens to be the main rival of his former athlete and Olympic champion Nina Kennedy. Burgess made the move to Moon’s team just in time for the Diamond League event in Doha, citing his need to explore coaching opportunities overseas due to being banned from the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) facilities after his resignation. According to Burgess, he discovered he was banned immediately upon resigning in April 2024. Though he never received a personal notification, he found out that security was on standby at WAIS for several weeks post-resignation in case he tried to make an appearance.
The Allegations and Fallout
Burgess played a significant role in bringing forward allegations against former WAIS pole vault coach Alex Parnov, which Australian Athletics (AA) deemed as “totally unacceptable and deeply distressing.” The allegations of Parnov sexually harassing vulnerable female athletes under his supervision were exposed by News Corp back in December of the previous year. Burgess initially raised concerns about Parnov’s behavior in 2016 but was informed that the matter would not be escalated formally. Instead, the organization opted for an off-the-record conversation with Parnov. Eventually, Parnov was dismissed by WAIS in 2019. Dr. Neale Fong, WAIS chair since 2023, acknowledged the impact of Parnov’s actions on Burgess and admitted the organization’s failure to address the issue adequately at the time.
The Rivalry Continues
The transition of Burgess to Moon’s camp adds another layer to the ongoing rivalry between Moon and Kennedy. The two athletes share a unique bond, having agreed to share a pole vault gold medal at the 2023 world championships and later standing together on the podium in Paris, with Kennedy securing the gold and Moon the silver. Burgess expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with an exceptional athlete like Moon, emphasizing his positive relationship with Kennedy and wishing her the best. Kennedy, in response, understood Burgess’s decision and extended her best wishes to him and Moon. Despite still coaching Olympian Kurtis Marschall in Perth, Burgess highlighted the challenges he faced in his coaching role due to the restrictions imposed by WAIS, which impacted his ability to support Marschall effectively.
Support and Acknowledgment
Australian Athletics affirmed its support for Burgess financially as Marschall’s coach, recognizing his role in preparing Marschall for the upcoming World Athletics Championships. The organization also clarified its backing for Marschall’s track bookings and overall training requirements. WAIS emphasized its continued support for Kennedy and Marschall, debunking any claims suggesting a lack of support for the athletes. The focus remained on the well-being and safety of both staff and athletes, aligning with the principles agreed upon by all sporting organizations in Australia. Despite the challenges faced by Burgess post-resignation, the support from Australian Athletics and the dedication to coaching Marschall remained unwavering. The collaboration between Burgess, Moon, and Kennedy showcased the dynamic nature of coaching relationships in the world of athletics.