Sexual abuse in skating: Gailhaguet recognizes "mistakes" but not "mistakes"

He appeared combative. And he started by apologizing: “Sorry for the cramped working conditions. I didn't think there would be so many of you. ” And if the media were numerous, this Wednesday, at the headquarters of the French federation of ice sports, to hear the boss of a federation pointed out since the revelations of skaters, and in particular Sarah Abitbol, ​​accusing their former trainers of sexual violence . Didier Gailhaguet thus qualified as "moralizing minister" Roxana Maracineanu, the Minister of Sports who asked for her resignation after their meeting on Monday. "The Minister did not hear me, she is draped in her certainties", evoking pell-mell "a federation accused, dirty and opportunistic of circumstances that we have not seen in the rinks for 10 years"

"I am dismayed that their lives are shattered by the fault of bastards who took advantage of their innocence"

"These kids are women I know well, that I like and I am dismayed that their lives are shattered by the fault of bastards who took advantage of their innocence," he said, adding: "our federation is absolutely not a bunch of sexual perverts (…) I am dirty by shabby people who do not know my job, nor the man I am ”.

Didier Gailhaguet then extensively reviewed the case of Gilles Beyer, the former trainer of Sarah Abitbol. And he reaffirmed what he had already said by pointing to “dysfunctions of the State and the Ministry” in the management of the case of this trainer, by affirming that it was he who had requested an investigation from the Ministry of sports. And then rejecting all attacks concerning him. "I absolutely did not protect Gilles Beyer," he said. '

Regarding his resignation demanded by the Minister of Sports, Didier Gailhaguet replied: "I am awaiting the conclusions of the labor inspectorate to decide. I am aware of the gravity of the situation. I made mistakes but I didn't make mistakes. "

This statement to the press comes minutes after the announcement of government support for Roxana Maracineanu's resignation request made on Monday. The resignation request is "obviously shared by the entire government," government spokeswoman Sibeth N'Diaye said on Wednesday.

Abuse in skating: "Talking about omerta is too easy", says Didier Gailhaguet

Sexual abuse in skating: Gailhaguet says he is "very affected" by this "shock wave"

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Sexual abuse in skating: Gailhaguet recognizes "mistakes" but not "mistakes"

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