Longtime track coach fired following sexual-abuse investigations
Longtime coach Ken Porter was fired Monday from his volunteer position of president of an Ottawa track and field club after sex-abuse allegations were made by at least nine former teen athletes, including several from B.C.
The Ottawa Lions Club, which suspended Porter last month, announced it has permanently cut ties with Porter, who helped form the club 30 years ago and has been a high-profile Canadian coach for five decades. Postmedia has published stories about allegations of abuse of teen male track stars with the Edmonton Olympic Club in the 1970s and later in Ottawa.
“The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club has received complaints from its membership of sexual-harassment allegations against Ken Porter,” says the unsigned statement released Monday morning by the club. “Ken Porter is in violation of the club’s Statement of Expectations as well as the Athletics Canada and Athletics Ontario Code of Conduct and Ethics Policies … Porter’s affiliation with the club has been permanently severed as a result of the aforementioned violation of the club’s bylaws and Statement of Expectations, this will include expulsion of Dr. Porter from having any future affiliation with the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club.”
The club is encouraging any more members with concerns to contact its ombudsman. Postmedia has requested an interview with the Lions Club, which holds its annual general meeting tonight. Postmedia was not able to reach Porter on Monday.
The club said part of its decision was based on a 200page report by independent investigator André Marin, who was hired by Athletics Canada to look into Porter and the Lions Club head coach, Andy McInnis. Monday’s statement did not address McInnis, who remains suspended.
Marin’s report for Athletics Canada, the national governing body for track and field, will include recommendations for Porter’s future in the sport, which can range from reprimands to expulsion.
At least two police departments, Edmonton and Saskatoon, are also reviewing Marin’s report but no formal announcement has been made about a criminal investigation. No criminal charges have ever been laid, and none of the accusations has been tested or proven in court.
One of the complainants, Brian Rhodes of Kelowna, was buoyed by news that Porter would no longer be involved with the Ottawa club.
“I’m elated, and cautiously optimistic that (a) criminal investigation will continue,” Rhodes said.