Sofia Bekatorou: Olympic medalist’s decision to speak out on 1998 sexual assault allegations sparks public outcry in Greece

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Bekatorou has not named the person she accuses. On Saturday, Aristides Adamopoulos – the vice-chairman of the HSF board of directors – resigned, according to the Greek shipping body.

“Complaints brought against me by a public figure of great recognition and social impact are expected to arouse public interest, create feelings of compassion for the complainant and disgust for the complainant. the alleged ‘author’, “Adamopoulos said in a statement. he called for due process. His statement did not respond to Bekatorou’s allegations.

CNN does not generally identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, but Bekatorou has publicly shared his allegations.

Bekatorou said the alleged assault took place in 1998 during preparations for the Sydney Olympics, which took place two years later.

One of Greece’s best-known female athletes, Bekatorou won a gold medal in sailing at the Athens Olympics in 2004, then bronze four years later at the Beijing Games.

Now 43, Bekatorou said a male official did an “obscene act” after inviting her to his hotel room to discuss preparations for the Sydney Olympics. The athlete said the act was not consensual.

She made the allegation earlier this week during an online event hosted by the Department of Culture and Sports on protecting children in sport.

Bekatorou said she wanted to talk about her traumatic experience in the hopes that the young athletes weren’t afraid to speak out.

“I said no I repeated that I didn’t want to continue and he used soft false speech and said it was nothing and he was trying to be funny,” Bekatorou said.

“He said he would stop if I didn’t want to but he didn’t, no matter what I told him. Crying and being ashamed, I left the room when he finished and withdrew from me.

Initially in response to the allegation, the HSF said it had never previously received a formal or informal complaint from Bekatorou. He also urged the athlete to reveal specific details, while also calling the alleged sexual violence Greece with athletes, politicians and public figures describing it as a disgrace,

However, on Saturday the HSF suddenly did an about-face, issuing an additional statement.

<< In order to preserve the prestige of the Federation, the honor and the reputation of all the athletes, coaches and actors of the sport and to facilitate the investigation for which the final decision is taken by justice, we immediately asked and received the resignation of vice-chairman of the board of directors Aristides Adamopoulos, ”said the HSF.

Bekatorou carried his country's flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana Stadium on August 5, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Attorney General of Athens

Adamopoulos said he was on trial by the media.

“This is the minimal conquest of any democratic state governed by the rule of law and the corresponding obligation of institutions and the media not to target individuals, distribute their photographs or have already convicted the so-called ‘culprit’ “Before he is given the right to express himself and give his opinion on facts made public by a third party,” Adamopoulos said in a statement.

Meanwhile, two other members of the HSF board – notably Yiannis Papapiditriou – tendered their resignations in favor of Bekatorou.

The entire political spectrum of Greece has rallied to Bekatorou. And after saying he spoke with Bekakorou, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also praised his courage to speak out.

“Sofia bravely broke the chain of fear and silence, leading the way for the stigma of guilt to shift from the victim to the perpetrator. In this way, she became an Olympiad of accountability, on behalf of us. all, “Mitsotakis said in a released statement. on Facebook.

The Hellenic Olympic Committee did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

IOC member and HOC chief Spyros Kapralos also said he would support Bekatorou “with all his might” and called on other athletes to speak up.

“We must have a safe, ethical, decent and pure sporting environment,” Kapralos said in a statement on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Greek media reported on Saturday that the Athens prosecutor will order a preliminary investigation on Monday, with Bekatorou scheduled to testify during the week.

Additional reporting by John Sinnott.

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