T&T Olympic medallist Ato Boldon has denied an Australian media report which alleges he had an affair with one of that country's former top athletes four years ago, saying it was nothing but a fabrication.
The US-based Boldon issued a statement on Facebook yesterday after the internet and social media sites lit up with commentary on the story, which was published by Northern Territory (NT) News and written by political reporter Christopher Walsh.
The story alleges that Boldon was invited to Australia in 2010 by former track star Nova Peris, when she was working with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and was an ambassador for Athletics Australia.
Peris made her name as an Olympic hockey and track star and is now a senator in the Northern Territory district.
The article claims Boldon was initially believed to have been invited there to help Peris stage "Jump Start for London," a ten-day programme for young athletes, for which he was paid a fee of at least US$22,000.
It alleges Peris sourced government funding for the trip but that once Boldon was in Australia Peris also used the time to pursue him romantically, although she was married at the time.
Walsh wrote his story based on a series of intimate e-mails Peris and Boldon allegedly exchanged and which he obtained.
The story was run on several local media stations yesterday and as it created a social media frenzy and Boldon was inundated with calls and messages from T&T media and Facebook and Twitter friends, he took to Facebook to deny the allegation.
"Nova Peris is a former training partner of mine and has been a friend for almost 20 years," Boldon wrote in a posting just before 4 pm.
"My last 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."
Peris: Clinic a success
In a statement in response to questions from Walsh, Peris, who turns 43 next month, said she categorically rejected the suggestion she was involved in any untoward activity with Boldon.
Sh said: “During his trip Mr Boldon promoted athletics, attended and promoted specific events and conducted clinics for young indigenous athletes.
“Other organisations, including the West Australian government, supported some events during the visit. I understand Athletics Australia was pleased with the outcome of the visit.
“The highs and lows of my athletic career, and now political career, are public. The highs and lows of my private life are matters for me and my family.”
On questions about the e-mail exchanges, Peris said: “Documents provided to the NT News are private. It appears they were not lawfully obtained by a third party. I cannot vouch for the veracity of e-mails I have not seen.”
The article claimed Boldon did not respond to repeated requests for an interview.
More about Boldon, Peris
Ato Boldon is one of T&T’s most decorated athletes.
After a successful youth career, he won 100 metre bronze at the 1995 World Championships, double bronze (100 and 200 metres) at the 1996 Olympics and 200 metres gold at the 1997 World Championships.
He also picked up 100 metre gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. When added to his exploits with T&T’s relay teams, Boldon has a career total of four World Championship medals and four Olympic medals.
Boldon currently has a successful media career as a track and field analyst with ESPN and NBC Sports.
Nova Peris initially made her name as part of the Aussie women’s hockey team which won gold at the 1996 Olympic Games, becoming the first Aussie woman on aboriginal heritage to win a gold medal.
She then switched to the track and at the 1998 Commonwealth Games was a double gold medallist in the individual 200 metres and as part of the 4x200 metre relay team.
Peris was elected to the Australian Senate in the 2013 federal election, after then Prime Minister Julia Gillard named her as a "captain's pick," installing her as the pre-selected Labour candidate over incumbent Labour senator Trish Crossin.
