Renowned Canadian Track Coach Found Guilty of Historic Sexual Abuse Against Young Athletes
Ken Porter, a well-known track coach, has been convicted on five criminal charges involving sexual abuse of young athletes dating back four decades. Many victims from British Columbia sought justice for the long-overdue case.
An Alberta judge determined that Porter, now 76, committed indecent assault and acts of gross indecency against minors, describing his actions as those of “an adult in a position of authority exploiting children for sexual gratification.”
The verdict came after a man from Metro Vancouver insisted on reopening the forgotten case. Alberta Justice Nicholas Devlin issued the ruling in Edmonton, where the victims trained in the 1970s and often received inappropriate massages from Porter.
Devlin stated that the coach’s sexual touching during these trackside massages amounted to gross indecency. He emphasized the non-consensual nature of the acts, their sexual intent, and the significant emotional harm inflicted on the victims, who were minors at the time.
Though Porter was cleared of five other charges, the judge found the core allegations proven beyond doubt.
Chris Dallin, one of the victims who first reported the abuse in 2007, was relieved by the guilty verdict. He had feared disbelief for decades but now feels justice has been served. Dallin described how the abuse shattered his promising life and left him with lasting trauma.
The judge referred to Dallin as “complainant zero” for initiating the official complaint with the RCMP, though no action was taken initially.
Following a 2023 investigative report by The Vancouver Sun and an inquiry by Athletics Canada, Edmonton police re-interviewed witnesses in 2019. At least nine individuals have accused Porter of abuse, many residing in B.C., though only four were part of this trial.
Dallin testified that Porter, seen as the top track coach in Western Canada, gained his trust but subjected him to unwelcome touching during massages and took him to restaurants alone, sometimes buying alcohol.
Porter denied any sexual intent, but the judge found his testimony unreliable, highlighting contradictions and evasions. Devlin concluded Porter was infatuated with Dallin and manipulated him into silence.
Some allegations related to an incident in Saskatoon were dismissed due to inconsistencies in Dallin’s recollections.
Another victim, identified as J, recounted being shown pornographic magazines by Porter and being asked to wear a yellow thong during massages that involved inappropriate touching. Porter admitted to the magazines but denied the thong incident. The judge deemed this behavior grooming and inappropriate.
A third witness, K, testified about a naked massage by Porter in his apartment, which led to Porter ejaculating. Although K initially welcomed the experience, he later felt exploited. Porter denied this occurred, but the judge accepted K’s account beyond reasonable doubt.
One allegation involving Porter masturbating K at a track meet was dismissed for lack of clear evidence.
Dallin does not see himself as a hero but simply as someone who spoke the truth to prevent others from being harmed. Despite the long wait, he believes the verdict brings some healing.
He expressed how Porter, once his pathway to Olympic dreams, became a source of shame and trauma. The conviction, he said, means Porter will no longer pose a threat to others.
