The president of the Olympic Athletes Commission (CAO), Diana Gomes, revealed on Monday that she was “extremely concerned” about Telma Monteiro’s “cry of revolt”, in rupture with the federation, appealing to the judokas in a similar situation that ” trust in guardianship.
“It’s more than an outburst, without a doubt. It’s a cry of rebellion. I’m worried, very worried about the results and the preparation of these athletes. It’s about Olympic races. It has me extremely worried.”assumed the leader, in declarations to Lusa.
Olympic athlete Telma Monteiro reported today that the Portuguese Judo Federation (FPJ) fired coach Ana Hormigo, one day before the team traveled to compete in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, qualifying for the Olympic Games, criticizing the management of President Jorge Fernandes, reporting that he will have said that either the seven fighters withdraw this week from the open letter they wrote in the summer against their actions or they will be brought to trial.
“It is very difficult to see, especially having been an athlete and having also experienced similar problems. Above all, it is being able to use what can knock us down to make us stronger. And then in judo… It has to be an exercise in tactics , but also the momentum. They have to use those motivations in their favor, “he advised.
Diana Gomes suggests that judoka “use the anger they feel with these problems to their advantage.”
“It’s the only way to handle everything that’s going on. On a personal level, on a career level, on a mental level, the load they are receiving is very high. They really have to turn the game around in their favor,” he challenged.
Guardianship “to investigate the situation”
Telma Monteiro, the most awarded Portuguese judoka in history, also revealed that on Saturday, at the planning meeting, the coaches were informed that she, like other athletes, no longer has funds from the Olympic project managed by the federation to to carry out. defined planning.
“What can they do? They have to trust the guardianship. I notice that they are already investigating the situation. What had been agreed upon, if the consensus they reached is being fulfilled. I know that they are attentive, extremely concerned as well. And I know that are already underway. We all have to trust that there will be a result for the athletes in this extreme situation, ”said the president of the CAO.
The official recalls that the investment in the Olympic project “exists because there are athletes and it is done in their preparation, not in the federations themselves”, for which she understands that the situation must be “really investigated”, something that, she says, ” the IPDJ (Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth) is already doing it”.
In the summer, seven judokas – Telma Monteiro, Catarina Costa, Patrícia Sampaio, Rochele Nunes, Bárbara Timo, Anri Egutidze and Rodrigo Lopes – wrote a letter accusing the president of the FPJ of oppression, discrimination and threats, lamenting the “unsustainable climatic and toxic” they were experiencing.
Days later, the national coach Ana Hormigo expressed her solidarity with the judokas saying that “they are exhausted” and that “they don’t want to be subject to a system that doesn’t even deign to listen to them.”
“Athletes have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a career, represent their country and show their best performance, while in federations presidents and directors are being replaced and stay,” he said.
Diana Gomes also said that she is aware that there are more athletes “disgusted” with the management of Jorge Fernandes, in addition to the seven who signed the open letter.
Source: TSF
