World Sport

Olympic medalist's decision to speak out over alleged 1998 sexual assault sparks public outcry in Greece

January 16, 2021. Summarized by summa-bot.

Compression ratio: 20.5%. 1 min read.

ATHENS - AUGUST 21: Sofia Bekatorou and Amilia Tsoulfa of Greece celebrate with their gold medal during the medal ceremony for the women's double handed dinghy 470 finals race on August 21, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at Agios Kosmas Olympic Sailing Centre in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Greek Olympic gold medalist Sofia Bekatorou's very public detailing of her alleged sexual assault in 1998 by a high-ranking Hellenic Sailing Federation (HSF) official has sparked an outcry in the Mediterranean country over the way her revelations were initially dealt with.

(CNN)Greek Olympic gold medalist Sofia Bekatorou's very public detailing of her alleged sexual assault in 1998 by a high-ranking Hellenic Sailing Federation (HSF) official has sparked an outcry in the Mediterranean country over the way her revelations were initially dealt with.

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

Initially in response to the allegation, the HSF said it had never previously received a formal or informal complaint from Bekatorou It also urged the athlete to reveal specific details, while referring to the alleged sexual violence as an "unpleasant incident," causing public outcry in Greece with athletes, politicians, and senior public figures describing it as a disgrace,

Reuters reported that IOC member and HOC head Spyros Kapralos said he would support Bekatorou with "all his might'" and called on other athletes to speak up.

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