EDITORIAL
>> 54 top French athletes called on Tuesday in a forum to "give voice" following the revelations on sexual abuse in the French skating community. Among the signatories, all members of the High Level Athletes Commission of the CNOSF (the French Olympic Committee), Teddy Riner, Ophélie David or Nathalie Péchalat. A commitment that makes our editorial writer Virginie Phulpin say that "the world of sport will change".
"We can no longer be silent. It is time to act collectively and to realize that breaking the silence is also serving sport." For me it is one of the key sentences of the forum published in L e Parisien by French athletes. Do you realize this total change that we are experiencing? To break the silence is to defend sport and athletes.
Until then, talking, reporting sexual assaults, expressing suspicion, or supporting the victims was seen as a way to damage the image of sport. And very few athletes dared to do it. Because there was a general screed on the subject. From the state to the federations down to the clubs. And for athletes, to talk was to risk their future, to endanger their career. In their tribune, the signatories say that they feel responsible now that the testimonies are multiplying. But no, they were part of a system where everything was done so that nobody spoke. Hush, we don't say anything, and the sport will only get better.
Heard on europe1:
"Talking, testifying, supporting victims is what serving sport"
Today, finally, we moved the cursor. To speak, to testify, to support the victims is what it is to serve sport. There was a domino effect. Investigations and testimonies have multiplied in recent weeks, then the Minister of Sports has taken responsibility, and now athletes are getting involved. This forum, for me, proves that we will never go back. And I am proud this morning. Proud of this general awakening, proud of the reaction of the athletes. Proud and optimistic. Athletes know what it is to commit body and soul to achieve their goals. They spend their lives, their careers taking on challenges. And their rostrum makes me hope for tomorrows that sing, when we have healed our wounds.
"These athletes have ideas, they are the first concerned"
These sportspeople also offer solutions: the creation of a listening cell for victims independent of the federations, a cell that could seize the ministry to launch investigations, systematic verification of the criminal background of volunteers, the lifetime ban on exercise in contact with young people for all proven sexual aggressors ... Yes, these sportsmen have ideas, they are the first concerned, they know by heart the functioning of clubs and sports federations.
>> Find all of Virginie Phulpin's sports editorials in replay and podcast here
So if we can listen to them today, the world of sport will change. And since the minister has taken up the problem, I tend to trust her, she will work with these committed athletes. And anyway, there will be enough of us to check the progress of the work. So, yes, this morning I am optimistic, the big cleaning has started. And the unsaid, it's over. No one can stop the domino effect. "