Sofia Bekatorou prepares to give deposition on Wednesday over sex abuse allegation

·

Sofia Bekatorou will prepare to give a deposition on Wednesday morning against Greek sporting official Aristeidis Adamopoulos, who she alleges sexually abused her in 1998 prior to the Sydney Olympic Games.

The investigation was opened despite the fact that the alleged crime cannot be prosecuted due to Greece’s statute of limitations, but judicial authorities are hoping other women may come forward to reveal similar incidents on the case.

READ MORE: #MeTinSofia: Wave of support to Olympian sailing star after sex abuse revelation

The sailing champion will present her testimony to prosecutor Nikos Stefanatos, who has been tasked with the investigation.

Since coming out at a government-sponsored teleconference on sexual abuse on Thursday, the former sailing Olympian has sparked a wave of social action, seen as a belated #MeToo moment after decades of silence by sex abuse victims.

She said the incident, which was non-consensual, left her feeling “ashamed”.

“I said no, I repeated that I didn’t want to go on and he used fake sweet talk and said it is nothing,” said Ms Bekatorou, according to CNN.

“He said he would stop if I didn’t want it but he didn’t, no matter what I said to him,” she added.

READ MORE: Olympic gold medalist Sofia Bekatorou claims she was sexually assaulted by official

A second sailor, Marina Psichogiou, also came forward late Saturday to say that a federation member “old enough to be my grandfather” made her an indecent proposal in 1993, when she was 20 years old.

Aristeidis Adamopoulos stepped down as vice president of the Hellenic Sailing Federation (HSF) on Saturday, soon after the allegations were made. He has denied any wrongdoing, and said he had resigned due to the “great negative publicity” the allegations would have on the Hellenic Olympic Committee.

Aristeidis Adamopoulos.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who met Bekatorou on Monday, said her courage offered hope to other women who had suffered similar abuse in their personal and professional lives.

“I hope her brave revelation will blow like a rushing wind and sweep any hypocrisy, any cover up attempt away,” Sakellaropoulou said in a statement. “It is time to end the guilt of the victims and the impunity of the perpetrators.”

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he “stood by” Bekatorou and urged other victims of sexual abuse to speak out.

“It is time to uproot the violence of those in power against anyone in a weak position,” Mitsotakis said in a Facebook post on Saturday.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Alumni excellence celebrated in style at Oakleigh Grammar

Oakleigh Grammar has inducted two more former students into the prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame.

A pilgrimage to heroic Souli: Remembering the legacy of the Souliotes and Souliotises

Nestled in the rugged mountains of Epirus, Souli is more than just a historical site—it is a symbol of resilience and bravery.

The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea: Defining Orthodoxy and preserving Hellenism

The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 AD by Emperor Constantine the Great, stands as a pivotal event in Christian history.

From PAK to PASOK: Sakis Gekas to lecture on anti-dictatorship resistance in Toronto

The talk will feature some of the key moments of the anti-dictatorship struggle and its manifestations in the public sphere.

US urges EU to abandon protections for feta and other regional products

The United States is ramping up pressure on the European Union to eliminate its system of geographical indications.

You May Also Like

Legendary Greek singer Marinella collapses on stage during concert

Greek music legend Marinella collapsed on stage during her concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on Wednesday.

Sydney Olympic FC secures 2-0 victory to Manly United

Sydney Olympic FC scored a 2-0 victory over Manly United in round 7 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW fixture.

Mike Lazaridis: Father of the smartphone and science philanthropist

Mike Lazaridis is well-known as the father of the smartphone and science philanthropist. This is his story.