Gabriella Papadakis: “It is incredibly difficult to make sport safer when survivors’ voices are still being silenced. I had to end my competitive career because I could no longer tolerate abuse.”
Gabriella Papadakis Speaks Out About Abuse in Sport: “I Believe in a Safer Future for Young Athletes”
original source: Instagram
Gabriella Papadakis, the 2022 Olympic champion shared a statement on social media reflecting on the darker side of her sport. While she expressed deep love for figure skating and gratitude for the unforgettable memories it gave her, Papadakis bravely revealed the toll it took on her and the struggles she endured behind the scenes.
“I love my sport. I really do. It took me around the world, gave me some of the best memories of my life, and built me in countless ways. It also deeply harmed me.
I’m sharing my experiences because I believe in a sport where young athletes don’t have to endure what I did in order to achieve their dreams.
It is however incredibly difficult to make sport safer when survivors’ voices are still being silenced. I had to end my competitive career because I could no longer tolerate abuse. And now, as a result of speaking up about it I’ve lost my job.
I don’t single myself out as a victim. I use my experience to highlight a reality: as long as survivors are punished for speaking out, the sport cannot truly change or become safer.
As the Winter Olympics unfold, I encourage you to engage critically with the spectacle. Spectators have power, and the way we choose to watch, support, question, or look away helps shape the culture of the sport.”
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