Andri Eleftheriou, a member of the Cypriot shooting team, reported to the police that she had been sexually assaulted by a sports official. The woman had previously told journalists about the case, but she filed an official complaint only now.

Eleftheriou was prompted to take this step by two circumstances: a similar incident with the Greek Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou, which she decided to tell about after 23 years, and a meeting with the Minister of Justice of Cyprus, Emily Yiolitis.

Last week Sofia Bekatorou accused one of the former bosses of the Greek Sailing Federation of rape, without giving a specific name. She said the official invited her to a hotel room in 1998 to discuss preparations for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and the business conversation eventually turned into a sexual assault. The athlete explained that she did not report the incident because she feared it would break her athletic career and cause a rift in the Greek sailing team.

Bekatorou received support from the public and the authorities – in particular, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. She was urged to name the rapist so that he could get what he deserved.

The board of directors of the Cyprus Rifle Federation, which wants to “cleanse its ranks from those who insulted not only the sport, but the entire Cypriot society,” stood up for Andri Eleftheriou, CNA reported.

Minister of Justice and Public Order Emily Yiolitis also expressed support for the athlete. In her Twitter account, Yoliti wrote: “I express my support for Andri Eleftheriou, who did not remain silent. In a state that should and wants to protect victims and hold criminals accountable, let’s give the opportunity to speak openly. The circle of silence needs to be broken and the corrections that fueled its existence need to be made.”