The head of the national body for powerlifters has temporarily stood down after it wasRobert Wilks, 67, voluntarily stood down as chief executive of Powerlifting Australia on Sunday night afterpublished a story detailing defamation action he initiated against 22-year-old international student and athlete Dori Qu.
Two days after Ms Qu made her complaint on July 5, Mr Wilks’ lawyer sent her a letter warning her of potential court action. A defamation writ was filed in the County Court on July 15.Mr Wilks was not sent Ms Qu’s original email and it is unclear from the court documents how he obtained a copy of it.
In a statement posted on social media, Powerlifting Australia said Mr Wilks’ stepping down was due to “a recent membership protection complaint”. Mr Wilks separately issued a personal statement to Powerlifting Australia members maintaining his innocence, claiming his legal pursuit would “undoubtedly produce a vindication” of himself.
“The responses of some PA members have the effect of destabilising the organisation, threatening the conduct of events and thus the training and efforts of many lifters and officials,” he said.Powerlifting Australia is scheduled to host the Melbourne leg of the Australian Powerlifting Championships in St Kilda this weekend., had alleged that Mr Wilks began making sexual advances to her in late March.