Shooting Federation uncovers more sexual abuse cases

The Cyprus Shooting Federation has become aware of four more cases of sexual abuse by the same perpetrator allegedly involved in the case filed with police on Wednesday by Olympic shooting athlete Andri Eleftheriou, reports said Thursday.

Head of the Federation Tziovanis Savvides told media that an inquiry into its members uncovered four more cases in which Eleftheriou’s alleged perpetrator is embroiled, stating that the Federation is prepared to hand all details to the police.

Police investigators were on Thursday drawing up a plan of action on how to go about looking into the sexual abuse claim filed on Wednesday by Eleftheriou.

Local media said Thursday that Eleftheriou’s lengthy statement to the police provided details of two separate incidents of sexual abuse involving two different perpetrators. One allegedly took place during the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia, while the second was during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

A team of investigators will likely be led by a member of police specialising in matters of sexual harassment and assault, while it is expected that statements will be taken from sport officials, the Cyprus Sports Organisation, and the Cyprus Shooting Sport Federation.

Eleftheriou had in the past spoken about the incident to media, but did not file an official report until Wednesday after meeting with Justice Minister Emily Yioliti. The Justice Minister likely extended an invitation to Eleftheriou in view of the turbulent developments currently underway in Greece following the report of sexual abuse filed by Greek Olympic gold medallist Sofia Bekatorou.

On Thursday, the head of the Cyprus Olympic Committee Giorgos Chrysostomou expressed concern over the fact that Eleftheriou had come forward to speak to media about the case in 2018, but it required three years for someone to take action.

Chrysostomou said the Committee is determined to ensure that the necessary conditions are created that would ensure that no athlete is too scared to come forward with cases of sexual abuse.