VANCOUVER— Athletics Canada has issued lifetime bans against two longtime track and field coaches accused of multiple instances of sexual harassment and abuse.No criminal charges have been laid as a result of the allegations against Andy McInnis, head coach of the Lions, and Ken Porter, the club’s founder and its volunteer president.“Athletics Canada thanks and applauds all athletes, past and present, who came forward in this investigation,” Athletics Canada president Bill MacMackin said in a statement. “Their testimony and participation are commended, the only way the system can protect athletes is with individuals stepping up to report inappropriate behaviour.”The Monday announcement followed the release of a scathing 228-page report from the commissioner of Athletics Canada that made nearly two dozen wide-ranging recommendations, focusing on the Ottawa Lions — Canada’s largest track and field club — its board of directors and Athletics Canada itself.The report paints a picture of systemic failure of the institutions and individuals charged with protecting young athletes. It urges reforms to policies governing the handling and reporting of sexual assault and harassment.“The Lions failed to take any adequate steps to ensure a zero-tolerance environment for sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in an athlete workplace,” Frank Fowlie, Athletic Canada’s commissioner, writes in the report.In the past, both men have publicly denied the allegations against them, and lawyers for both men have not responded to requests for comment on the new report.Porter and McInnis have been friends for decades. Allegations began to surface about Porter during the investigation of those levelled at McInnis and questions over Porter’s handling of them.Two of the complaints against Porter were from male athletes in Ottawa in recent years while the other seven were members of the Edmonton Olympic Track and F ...
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