Urgent talks ongoing over allegations
UK Sport is in “urgent discussions” with UK Athletics over allegations made about the husband of its in-coming chief executive Zara Hyde Peters.
A newspaper report alleged Hyde Peters’ husband, Mike Peters, was allowed to continue as a coach at Coventry Godiva Harriers despite being banned from teaching for an “inappropriate relationship” with a 15-year-old schoolgirl.
Hyde Peters, due to start her role with UK Athletics on December 1, was vice-chair of Coventry Godiva Harriers at the time.
A UK Sport spokesperson said: “We were not previously aware of any of the issues reported this morning in relation to Mike Peters. Clearly the accusations laid out are extremely serious and we are in urgent discussions with UK Athletics to seek all of the facts relating to this issue.
“We treat safeguarding matters with the utmost importance and all our investments into national governing bodies are contingent on a sport meeting standards set out by the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) and the Ann Craft Trust (in relation to Adults at Risk).
“The integrity of the high performance system is paramount and so we will quickly but thoroughly establish the facts of this case before deciding on the appropriate response.”
UK Athletics said it stood by Hyde Peters’ appointment, but was investigating “the issues raised”.
“I fully support Zara’s appointment as CEO and feel she will do an excellent job,” said UK
Athletics chairman Chris Clark. “There can be no compromise, however, on matters relating to welfare and safeguarding and it’s important we clarify the facts and processes undertaken as well as the decisions made in relation to the issues raised.
“The UK Athletics welfare team will work with all parties concerned and with my personal oversight as chairman to review the matter fully and report back to me.”
The report claimed that although Hyde Peters knew her husband had been permanently barred from teaching in October 2012, he was allowed to carry on in his role as coach at Coventry Godiva Harriers between 2012 and 2017.
Peters was banned from teaching PE after being found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct following an “inappropriate relationship” at Bilton School in Rugby between 2004 and 2005. He was cleared of sexual misconduct.
Meanwhile, Russia’s reinstatement process has been suspended by the World Athletics Council following fresh anti-doping charges against senior officials.
The Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) has been banned from competition since 2015, and the suspension will now continue indefinitely as the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) made its latest recommendations to the council.
On Thursday “several senior federation officials” from RusAF were charged with and provisionally suspended for tampering and complicity.
In its findings, the AIU taskforce called for the immediate suspension of the reinstatement process until the latest charges had been answered.
World Athletics confirmed on Friday that it had taken the step to halt Russia’s return to competition.
World Athletics president Lord Coe added: “It is really important that we continue with the process we began in November 2015.
“The recommendation that was given to us, and unanimously accepted by the council, was in the spirit of that process.
“We will take this through to wherever we need to take it to protect the athletes and the sport.”