Javelin coach David Parker banned for four years
Javelin coach David Parker has been handed a four-year ban by UK Athletics (UKA) following allegations of misconduct.
The 1998 world junior champion, who was the national performance institute coach for throws with British Athletics as well as lead throws coach at Loughborough University, was suspended last year after allegations of what The Sun described at the time as an “inappropriate relationship” with one of his female throwers.
A prodigious teenage athlete, Parker also won European junior silver in 1999 and he sits No.2 on the UK all-time under-20 men’s rankings behind Steve Backley.
Parker, 38, later represented England at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, although his senior career failed to take off and he moved into coaching and team management. He was British team leader for last year’s European Under-23 Championships in Poland.
In a statement, UKA said: "On 7 February 2018, a UKA Case Management Group chaired by Mr G. Healey met to consider allegations of misconduct against Mr D. Parker pursuant to UKA's Coach Licence Terms and Conditions. The CMG considered the evidence put before it and determined that at least one of the circumstances for withdrawal of a licence set out in conditions 6.1 of the terms and conditions existed.
"Mr Parker subsequently exercised his right of appeal under UKA's Appeals Procedures for Coaches. On 26 September 2018, an independent Appeal Committee chaired by Kate Gallafent QC met to to consider Mr Parker's appeal. The Appeal Committee found that the allegations against Mr Parker were proven and ordered that Mr Parker's coach licence be withdrawn for a period of 4 years (reducing the initial sanction imposed by the CMG). The Appeal Committee also set out certain conditions that will need to be met before Mr Parker reapplies for his licence.
"The decision of the Appeal Committee is not subject to any further rights of appeal."
