Greek president praises Olympic medallist for breaking abuse silence

Greece's president praised Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou for dissolving "a conspiracy of silence" by reporting a historic allegation of sexual assault by a sports official.

Bekatorou, who won a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics, told the Greek edition of Marie Claire last month that she had suffered the abuse in 1998 when she was 21.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who met Bekatorou on Monday, said her courage offered hope to other women who had suffered similar abuse in their personal and professional lives.

"I hope her brave revelation will blow like a rushing wind and sweep any hypocrisy, any cover-up attempt away," Sakellaropoulou said in a statement. "It is time to end the guilt of the victims and the impunity of the perpetrators."

Although Bekatorou has referred the case to a prosecutor, Greek law would bar any prosecution after...