Nelson Monfort too will remain silent. A week after the release of Sarah Abitbol's shocking book, in which the former champion accuses her former trainer Gilles Beyer of having raped him between the ages of 15 and 17, the sports journalist answers our questions.
You haven't heard from Sarah Abitbol's accusations. Why express yourself only today?
NELSON MONFORT. Because no one asked me for my opinion before. And I find it coherent to speak after the press conference with Didier Gailhaguet ( Editor's note: the president of the French Ice Sports Federation, suspected of having protected Gilles Beyer ).
What did you think of his defense, broadcast live?
At first, I found Didier Gailhaguet very combative. And then, I who have known him well for years, I found him very moved. I have never seen him like that. He used two words: fault and error. Surely he had a third word in mind, the word regret.
He should have expressed his regrets more clearly?
Yes. But it felt in the way he expressed himself. I am sure he deeply regrets this whole story and that he did not take stock of it earlier. He was on the verge of tears.
Didier Gailhaguet should he resign as requested by the Minister of Sports?
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It is up to him to make his decision. I can't put myself in her place.
Have you talked to him in the past few days?
No, not since Sarah Abitbol's accusations. I'll wait for it to calm down a bit. We are here faced with a tragedy in French sport. But I hate screaming with wolves. However, I spoke with Sarah. I expressed my deepest sympathy to him. I have been fortunate enough to accompany his oh so brilliant career. She is a girl I have always loved enormously and now that I know what she has endured, I love her even more.
VIDEO. Sexual violence: Gailhaguet denies having “committed a fault”
You have been immersed in the world of skating for many, many years. Did you hear things?
But no, nothing. I was not aware of the rapes. Even with Philippe ( Editor's note: Candeloro, with whom he comments on figure skating on France Télévisions ), we never talked about it. How can I think that I could have known about such horrors without denouncing them? I am a journalist, not a spokesperson for one federation or another. If I had known, I would have said it. It’s worse than anything. I think that awareness is more than necessary. And this one is really going to be beneficial. Fear must change sides.
You also commented on skating with Annick Dumont, who was the wife of Gilles Beyer then Didier Gailhaguet…
We never talked about it. Never, never, never. On the other hand, we told what happened with the judges, and the not really exemplary role of the French Federation, at the Games in Salt Lake City ( Editor's note: Didier Gailhaguet had been suspended by the international federation for having manipulated judges )! I even received threats. We also wondered about Russian skaters who are retiring at 17, 18 because of the pressure.
Even the suspension of Gilles Beyer in 2001 didn't catch your ear?
At the time, his suspension went unnoticed, especially since the reason was unknown.
Have you read “Un si long silence”, Sarah Abitbol's confessions book?
I bought it last Saturday. We say to ourselves: it is not possible, it is not possible. But the details are so precise, one can not doubt his sincerity. It was another time, an excruciatingly unhealthy time.
Other skaters, Hélène Godard, Anne Bruneteaux and Béatrice Dumur, have also laid similar charges…
Rape is punishable by the assize court if there was no prescription. Tackling 12, 13 year old girls ... There is no word.
What impact on the image of skating?
It is dramatic for the image of skating, a spectacle that we follow as a family. Now, is skating the only sport involved? I do not think so.
