Ato Boldon, the former world and Olympic 200-metre sprinter, has hit back at claims that Senator Nova Peris, herself a former Olympic medallist, arranged a tax-payer funded affair for the couple, saying the accusations were “gross fabrications”.
First published by The Northern Territory News, the claims – which were headlined “sleazy romps at public expense” – allege that Peris sought funds from Athletics Australia to provide flights for Boldon from Los Angeles to Australia so he could take part in a program for young athletes in 2010.
But the story also claims that the pair were involved in a romantic liaison, evidenced by intimate emails exchanged in the lead up to the event.
The published emails between Boldon and Peris, who at the time was an Athletics Australia ambassador and communication officer for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, and married to Daniel Batman, reveal an alleged attraction between the former athletes.
“Ato … tell me babe … what u want … Make a bit of money and spend time together … I will take time off from work to be with u,” read one email from Peris.
Bolden, a native of Trinidad and Tobago with four Olympic medals in the 100 and 200-metre sprint, allegedly responded: “Purpose is time with u plus attend trials plus help them promote the trials and possibly guest broadcast on the TV station carrying it … need hotel ticket plus 15,000 US…”
In another Peris is alleged to have responded: “You should be compensated for your long haul travels across the pacific…sexually, of course…a tired traveller should kick back for a couple of days.”
News Corp says it stands by the claims saying the story deals with “an issue of public importance.”
“Namely the alleged misuse of taxpayer funds,” a spokesman said. “The emails, which we are satisfied are 100 per cent legitimate, were volunteered to the NT News by a credible source.”
A spokesman for Peris said she “categorically rejects any wrongdoing” and there was “no evidence” suggesting she had done anything wrong by bringing Boldon out to Australia.
“Athletics Australia were absolutely thrilled with Ato coming out,” the spokesman said.
“The documents provided to the NT News were private, and it appears they were not lawfully obtained.”
Peris declined to comment on private matters, he said.
“Nova Peris is a former training partner of mine and has been a friend for almost 20 years,” Boldon said in a statement released through social media.
“My trip to Australia almost five years ago was for the purpose of holding several youth clinics and it was a successful undertaking. The trip was co-organised by one of my now-deceased colleagues at Athletics Australia.
“The article recently written by the Northern Territory News includes gross fabrications.”
“I will be following the senator’s lead, including, but not limited to, pursuing all legal action possible for this malicious misrepresentation of the details surrounding my presence in Australia in 2010.”
