Protection will be priority

BEFORE he starts the most important job of his career, as the new chief executive of the Australian Sports Commission, there is something Kieren Perkins wants to clear up.

Perkins rejects any suggestion he does not support female athletes who have complained about being abused.

The Olympic legend has recently come under fire in his role as president of Swimming Australia for his handling of historical sexual abuse claims within the sport.

Olympic medallist Maddie Groves recently told the ABC she was mistreated when she was a teenage swimmer and condemned Swimming Australia’s approach to dealing with her complaint.

Although the alleged incidents happened long before he became president, Groves was critical of Perkins, saying she was disappointed when she and her lawyer met with him face-to-face.

“Kieren really just seemed like he was in the room as a box-ticking exercise,” she said. “He barely looked at me and didn’t shake my hand when we walked into the room. He didn’t ask me any questions or show any concern for me.”

Perkins rebutted the claim, saying he forwarded her complaints to Queensland police and initiated an independent investigation into all claims of abuse in the sport.

“Ms Groves has obviously had some significant challenges and some big things to say, and I certainly acknowledge her experiences as she‘s telling them,” he said.

“With the most recent allegation that she‘s delivered in the media, which is generally where we receive allegations from Ms Groves, it’s been referred to the Queensland police as it absolutely should, because if those allegations are proved to be true, it’s a criminal matter.”

Perkins took issue with her claim that he did not directly speak with her when they met, saying he was following the instructions of her legal representative. “My recollection is probably different potentially to the way that Maddie reflected her experience at the meeting,” he said.

Perkins, who starts his new role with the Australian Sports Commission next year, has identified safety and protection as one of his top priorities.