Athens, Europe Brief News – The landmark trial of a Greek sailing coach accused of raping a minor opens in Athens on Wednesday.
The landmark trial came a year after an Olympic champion effectively launched the #MeToo movement there by speaking out about her experiences.
Triantafyllos Apostolou faces sexual assault charges against an 11-year-old sailing federation athlete in 2010.
The 38-year-old appeared before an Athens criminal court on Wednesday and has denied the charges.
The case came to light after former Olympic sailing gold medal winner Sofia Bekatorou broke the taboo. She spoke out on such matters in December 2020.
She said that she herself was a victim of “sexual harassment and abuse” by a senior federation member. Bekatorou was 21 years old at the time.
Her revelations led to other women speaking up about being assaulted. More than three years after it started in the United States, the #MeToo movement was born in Greece.
More Greek athletes and women have also spoken publically about sexual abuse using #metisofia (#OnSofia’sSide).
