Ioulietta Boukouvala speaks about psychological violence

It has been a year since the new Greek minister of sports tried to clean the corruption from all sport federations. In the name of Deputy Minister of Sports Lefteris Avgenakis athletes finds the strength to talk about sexual harassment or even psychological harassments. World and Olympic champions, most of them girls, reported violent involving federations staff and coaches.

Greek World bronze medallist in 2010 Ioulietta Boukouvala denounces in various media about serious incidents of physical and psychological violence by her former coach and members of the federation speak out against her.

In her letter, the champion states that this is the second time she communicates to testify what she has experienced.

"They destroyed my internal organs, I got an ulcer and I reached the limits of anorexia, and they laughed with me and told me that I am nothing and if I do not go with them I will never get a medal," the champion said, according to the letter.

Unfortunately judo is not an exception, two days ago officially and on public Ioulietta Boukouvala reported Greek Judo Federation and the coach for the following reasons:

“I was beaten and threatened as many times as I tried to talk”

“I was subjected to psychological violence when was tried to reveal significant irregularities in my sport”

“Calls the minister of sports to take immediate actions to "clean up" judo so young children can dream and play their sports with no fear”

Also evidence was given about coaches with fake degrees, blackmail and more serious matters.

Boukouvala also mentioned in the media the role of IJF President Marius Vizer as an example of positive support in her career.

On Wednesday the minister called Boukouvala by himself in order to proceed investigation and clarification of the issue. Minister of sports also didn’t know that national team coach was suspended twice by the IJF.

Profile Ioulietta Boukouvala

Boukouvala was 2003 and 2005 European U23 Champion U57kg and took a silver medal at the Senior European Championships in Chelyabinsk in 2012. She won a bronze medal at the World Championships in 2010 U57kg.Boukouvala won the Grand Slam in Paris in 2009 as first and last Greek woman. She competed at the Olympic Games in 2004 in Athens and in 2012 in London.