SPORTING bureaucrats dismissed concerns from a top athlete over a coach who had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old in his care.
Four-time world champion Catriona Morrison warned Triathlon Scotland it could be seen to be “knowingly putting youngsters at risk” after it re-hired John Dargie following his suspension for having a secret affair with a teenager.
However, the governing body insisted Mr Dargie was “entitled to be considered for deployment” after serving his two-year suspension.
The coach had been suspended after it was discovered in 2010 he had a two-year-long relationship with promising young athlete Lara Gorman that began when Ms Gorman had just turned 16 and he was in his 30s.
Ms Gorman’s case – revealed by The Herald last week – has intensified calls for the legal prohibition on teachers and social workers having sex with under-18s in their care to be extended to sports coaches.
Ms Morrison, 40, raised concerns with the sport’s governing body after discovering Mr Dargie working with juniors on behalf of Triathlon Scotland in 2015.
She told Triathlon Scotland’s chairman, Andy Salmon: “There may be the perception that Triathlon Scotland condones his previous behaviour. There could be a perception that Triathlon Scotland willingly and knowingly placed young athletes in a position of potential risk.”
Mr Salmon responded that no further allegations had been made against Mr Dargie following the relationship with Ms Gorman and that checks had been made before he was allowed to resume coaching.
Ms Morrison said yesterday: “I was disappointed by the response. Triathlon Scotland could have chosen to adopt and demonstrate stronger leadership and commitment to the safeguarding and protection of children in sport by choosing not to employ this individual.”
There was nothing unlawful about the relationship between the pair, but SportScotland regards sex with 16- to 18-year-olds as “unacceptable practice”.
Ms Gorman’s career was shattered by depression and self-harm after her affair. Her father, Cameron, blamed Triathlon Scotland for not taking a stand.
He said: “To me they are just a weak organisation who have decided to keep this under wraps and not make any waves.”
Mr Dargie has said his relationship with Ms Gorman was “an error of judgment” following the breakdown of his marriage, during a period when he was hospitalised for mental illness. He says he is now cleared to work with children.
A spokeswoman for Triathlon Scotland said: “We considered Ms Morrison’s concerns very seriously and responded fully to her, explaining how we had undertaken an independent review and implemented its recommendations of a two-year suspension.
“Triathlon Scotland has, at all times throughout this process, fully complied with the law and upheld our policies and procedures according to the code of conduct for coaches.
“Mr Dargie has not been an employee of Triathlon Scotland since 28 July 2007, but was involved on a one-off basis as part of a coaching team delivering a session in May 2015.
“ A rigorous risk assessment of all the coaches involved was undertaken with all appropriate checks being carried out. Triathlon Scotland always takes complaints or allegations very seriously and continues to follow and review policies and procedures to protect children.”
She added the body welcomed a Scottish Government review on making coaches subject to the same rules as teachers on relationships with young people in their care.
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