The star commentator of skating on France TV reacted to the scandal that struck the community. – Yuri KADOBNOV / AFP
Iconic French figure skating commentator Nelson Monfort has spoken out on rape charges rocking the ice since the newspaper’s revelations The Team and the publication of Sarah Abitbol’s book-confession. If he only expresses himself now in the columns of the Parisian, it is because he had not “been asked [son] notice before ”.
Before mentioning the facts, Monfport first returned to Didier Gailhaguet’s press conference on Wednesday. “At first, I found
Didier Gailhaguet very combative. And then, I who have known him well for years, I found him very moved. I’ve never seen him like that. He used two words: fault and error. Surely he had a third word in mind, that is the word regret, “said the journalist. I’m sure he deeply regrets the whole thing and didn’t take it sooner. He was on the verge of tears.
Skater’s mother accuses Beyer of sexual harassment and blackmail via @ 20minutesSport https://t.co/7aHzSkHWgV
– 20 Minutes Sport (@ 20minutesSport) February 6, 2020
Asked about the corridor noises that could have come back to his ears, Nelson Monfort said he had not “been informed about the rapes”. “Even with Philippe (Candeloro, with whom he formed the duo of commentators for France Télévisions), we never talked about it. How can I think that I could have known about such horrors without denouncing them ?, he asks. I’m a journalist, not a spokesperson for one federation or another. If I had known, I would have said it. It’s worse than anything. I think awareness is more than necessary. And this one is really going to be beneficial. Fear must change sides. “
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