Olympic champion's abuse claim triggers debate in Greece

Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou, meets with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou at the Presidential Palace in Athens, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. Bekatorou has accused an unnamed sporting official of sexually assaulting her in 1998 during preparations for the Sydney Games. Bekatorou made the allegation Thursday Jan. 14, 2021 while speaking at an online event organized by the ministry of culture and sport. (Alkis Konstantinidis /Pool via AP)

Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou arrives at the prosecutor's office in Athens, on Wednesday, Jan 20, 2021. Bekatorou, who won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics, last week said the male official from the Hellenic Sailing Federation performed a “lewd act” after inviting her to his hotel room to discuss team preparations in 1998. Multiple claims by other female athletes of sexual misconduct from sporting administrators followed over the weekend. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou meets Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou, left, at the Presidential Palace in Athens, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. Bekatorou has accused an unnamed sporting official of sexually assaulting her in 1998 during preparations for the Sydney Games. Bekatorou made the allegation Thursday Jan. 14, 2021 while speaking at an online event organized by the ministry of culture and sport. (Alkis Konstantinidis /Pool via AP)

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004 file photo, Greek 470 class skipper Sofia Bekatorou, displays her gold medal during the medal ceremony of the women's double-handed 470 dinghy sailing event at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou of Greece has accused an unnamed sporting official of sexually assaulting her in 1998 during preparations for the Sydney Games. Bekatorou made the allegation Thursday Jan. 14, 2021 while speaking at an online event organized by the ministry of culture and sport. (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski, file)

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou welcomes Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou, left, at the Presidential Palace in Athens, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. Bekatorou has accused an unnamed sporting official of sexually assaulting her in 1998 during preparations for the Sydney Games. Bekatorou made the allegation Thursday Jan. 14, 2021 while speaking at an online event organized by the ministry of culture and sport. (Alkis Konstantinidis /Pool via AP)