Claudine Emonet and Catherine Gonseth, two former skiers of the France team, revealed this weekend acts of sexual abuse by a trainer that took place in the 1970s and 1980s. In a press release, the French Ski Federation wanted "to salute the courage they have shown to highlight these abject behaviors, and to assure them of all their support as well as the mobilization of leaders".
Like several federations, the FFS explains the measures already taken to free the word of the athletes, in particular a "telephone number for victims since 2006 on the Federation website", but also "awareness raising for Presidents of affiliated clubs accompanied by a procedure of declaration of good repute ”, as well as“ psychological follow-up which can favor the expression of possible sexual abuse ”. Finally, the FFS assures that it "will deal without complacency all cases declared, whether by way of disciplinary bodies or by joining a civil party as soon as these possibilities are offered to it".
"Skiing is not spared and why should it be?" Said Michel Vion, the president of the FFS, before adding "It is reassuring to see that women like Claudine Emonet and Cathy Gonseth have dared talk about facts going back almost 40 years, when we were silent. I salute their courage. Speech must be released. ”
The two skiers first told their story on social networks, before confiding in the media, including the Parisian this weekend. “We thought we had to do something, even if the facts were prescribed. It's so heavy to carry. We would like this to be used to free the speech of those who have not yet spoken, ”explains Claudine Emonet to the daily newspaper.
For almost three weeks, French sport has been plunged into an unprecedented crisis with the multiplication of revelations of scandals of sexual assault, notably in figure skating, which led to the resignation of the president of the federation Didier Gailhaguet, accused of to have closed my eyes.
Read also
- Dossier: sexual violence in sport
