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Former president of the French Federation of Figure Skating, Didier Gailhaguet. Francois Mori via PA

France's ice skating chief resigns over sex abuse scandal

Claims were made against former national coach Gilles Beyer.

THE UNDER-FIRE president of France’s ice skating federation Didier Gailhaguet resigned today over a damaging sex abuse scandal engulfing his sport.

“In the spirit of conciliation, I took the sensible decision to resign with philosophy, dignity but no bitterness,” the 66-year-old announced after a meeting of the federation’s federal council in Paris.

His resignation after nearly two decades in charge comes as French ice skating reels from claims of rape against a former national coach, Gilles Beyer.

In an autobiography published on January 30, former world championship bronze medallist Sarah Abitbol accused Beyer of raping her several times from 1990 to 1992 when she was between the ages of 15 and 17.

That bombshell claim led to further accusations of assault.

Skater Helene Godard, accused Beyer, 62, and another coach Jean-Roland Racle of sexual abuse when she was a minor.

And sports daily L’Equipe reported that the mother of another young skater claimed that Beyer sexually harassed and blackmailed her in 2017 and 2018 in return for coaching her daughter.

Gailhaguet had initially refused calls from Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu to move aside, telling a news conference on Wednesday that he had “absolutely not protected Gilles Beyer”.

“I found out about 90% of these incidents in the press and in a book… 10 days ago,” he said.

‘Dictatorship’

In his resignation address to reporters he denounced “the ministerial dictatorship and in particular the shameful threat of withdrawing support” from the federation made by Maracineanu, for whom Gailhaguet’s exit was “a first stage”.

Maracineanu’s government department is investigating the scandal.

“We owe it to the victims” to see this through until the end, she said.

Abitbol was unimpressed at today’s development,  telling French news magazine L’Obs that “the entire federation where he had friends still has to be cleaned out”.

“Those who remained quiet and supported his system are still there,” she added.

On Thursday the lawyer representing Beyer told AFP that his client was prepared to talk to prosecutors investigating claims of sexual abuse of minors in figure skating.

“Gilles Beyer has been placed on the chopping block for days by the media but he will save any comment for the prosecutors,” Thibault de Montbrial said.

Under Gailhaguet’s watch, Beyer, already Abitbol’s coach, took over as manager of the French national team. 

There were previous complaints of inappropriate behaviour, and in 2000 an inquiry led the then sports ministry to remove Beyer from his technical role at the federation, but he remained a coach at one of France’s top skating clubs. 

Beyer held an executive position at the federation until 2018.

Before this scandal erupted French ice skating’s reputation had already been tarnished by an investigation into US-based Morgan Cipres for allegedly sending lewd photographs to a 13-year-old girl, and by Laurine Lecavelier who tested positive for cocaine.

© – AFP 2020

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    Mute Proinsias Ó Foghlú
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 2:17 PM

    TV is basically tabloid TV, Vinny is OK the rest tends to be crap.

    121
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    Mute Duck Knight
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:16 PM

    A show about Irish people emigrating to London. How edgy and unique. I’d nearly watch it to see what the producers definition of “interesting” is…. but I won’t.

    113
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    Mute Linny
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:13 PM

    Watch TV3? Are you having a laugh?

    100
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    Mute John Donnelly
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 2:51 PM

    Vinny is the only reason I switch the box on, looking forward to the documentary. He holds no punches and sides with no political party. Best entertainment on Irish television! Kenny is scared shitless of him!

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    Mute Gavin Radford
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:35 PM

    Vincent knows more about Gerry than Gerry knows about himself. Should be interesting.

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    Mute Supernova
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:41 PM

    At least it will be a genuine documentary. If rte made it there’d be horror music played in the background and it would be shot in black and white

    106
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    Mute Pat Mustard
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 2:13 PM

    It will be a rehash of the one TV3 made a few years ago about SF, except this time maybe having an interview with Gerry Adams rather than MMcG.

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 2:22 PM

    Shinnerbots will deny the parts they don’t like and rave about the parts they do like.

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    Mute Juan Franc
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 3:22 PM

    Dermo,I can get you a good deal on a satellite dish so you will be able to view all the South’s tv channels including tv3.

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    Mute Juan Franc
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 4:46 PM

    One fiddy Dermo,good price,special price just for you.

    (Sterling)

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 5:53 PM

    Thanks Franco, but I’m an Irish citizen, resident in this State so I unfortunately get TV3 when I pay my TV licence. Are you in a similar boat?

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    Mute Amanda Tierney
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:10 PM

    I’m ecstatic.

    87
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    Mute Peter Higgins
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:44 PM

    Vincent is the only show in town. I’d watch him no matter what station he worked for. Yes,even UTV Ireland, and that’s saying something.

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    Mute Maurice Slater
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:45 PM

    TV3,= copy and paste,

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    Mute Cillan32
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:45 PM

    Vincent is no fan of SF … Expect a hatchet job .

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    Mute Supernova
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:49 PM

    He’s no fan of fainna fail, fine Gael, labour either. Expect an in depth balanced well written documentary

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    Mute Cillan32
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 2:17 PM

    Supernova …. Last time TV3 did something on SF they edited out part if a conversation with former SF Cllr Killian Forde to make it sound like he was calling SF a cult .

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    Mute Proinsias Ó Foghlú
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 2:19 PM

    I can not find fault with Vinny doing a hatchet job on SF. Their comrades in the IRA were experts in their usages.

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 2:23 PM

    Good man Cillian, get your retaliation in first.

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    Mute Supernova
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 2:25 PM

    Unionists/blueshirts assemble! #flutemusic

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 2:41 PM

    Thought Shinnerbots likes Vin B? Not so when he turns his eyes on their Dear Leader.

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    Mute Del
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:52 PM

    What a complete load of sh!te

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    Mute Tom Kenny
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 2:01 PM

    you’re a happy chappy

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    Mute joan donnellan
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:22 PM

    Isn’t TV3 owned by Denis O Brien?

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    Mute .
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:36 PM

    At least we don’t have to pay licence fee for it Not owned by DOB

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:42 PM

    No.

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    Mute Seamus Banna
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 2:05 PM
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    Mute David Murphey
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 8:58 PM

    UPC owns TV3.

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    Mute Paul Wallace
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 3:37 PM

    I think Gerry will be destroyed in a debate by Vincent…

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    Mute Grey Beard
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 5:10 PM

    In defence of TV3, they don’t receive and tv licencing money….so at least we don’t have to pay for any of their crap

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    Mute David Murphey
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 8:53 PM

    7% of the Licence Fee goes into the Broadcast Fund which is administered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The Broadcast Fund is paid out to applicants to fund specific programmes. For example, TV3′s gem “Danger! Amanda at Work” received a grant from the Broadcast Fund.

    Similarly, TV3′s drama “Red Rock” received a grant of €800,000 from the Broadcast Fund.

    (Source: IrishTimes.com 9 July 2015; http://www.bai.ie.)

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    Mute Alex Quinn
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 10:40 PM

    I don’t think there’s any issue with the likes of Red Rock getting money but that other rehashed muck is deplorable.

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    Mute Peter
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 1:59 PM

    Riveting – completely engrossing: compelling; the documentary is a riveting account of the freedom fighters journey through the troubled decades.

    Hahaha, sneak preview of the wording for the promo for Mr Adams aka ‘I was not in the PIRA’

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    Mute Aging Lothario
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    Sep 2nd 2015, 5:30 PM

    I can only imagine how cringeworthy their version of Gogglebox will be, watch an Irish TV station yet again make a balls of what is an excellent programme.

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