ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek president Sofia Bekatorou’s Olympic sailing champion has been praised for spreading a “conspiracy of silence” by citing a historic allegation of sexual assault by a sports official.
Bekatorou, who won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, told the Greek edition of Marie Claire last month that she suffered the abuse in 1998 when she was 21.
Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who met with Bekatorou on Monday, said her courage offered hope to other women who have suffered similar abuse in their personal and professional lives.
“I hope that her heroic appearance will blow like a swift wind and sweep away hypocrisy, any cover-up effort away,” Sakellaropoulou said in a statement. “It is time to end the guilt of the victims and the persuasion of the perpetrators. ”
Although Bekatorou has referred the case to prosecutor, Greek law has banned any prosecution after so many years.
However, since she made the allegations, other Greek athletes have come forward and more recent issues may emerge as a result of the investigation.
The comments from Sakellaropoulou’s leaders echo across the Greek political spectrum, from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to anti-leader Alexis Tspiras, who in a rare display of unity has backed Bekatorou.
They will also add to growing pressure for greater accountability from sports alliance officials, with Greek Deputy Sports Minister Lefteris Avgenakis saying Sunday that the government intends to pass a bill that would allow athletes to their representation on federation boards.
“We want to clean up this area. The alliance division needs new oxygen, ”he said.
The allegation by Bekatorou, who has not publicly named the official, has prompted the Greek sports ministry to call for an investigation.
Bekatorou revealed last week at an online conference that she did not open up about her abuse at the time, five years before the 2004 Games in Athens, for fear of ruining her Olympic dream and sharing is a Greek sailing team.
“Years later, with two children and thinking that I would have other children in my place, I gained the confidence to speak.”
Reciting with Renee Maltezou; Edited by Alexander Smith