An open letter published on social media by Sports Embassy founder Inês Caetano already has the support of more than 200 athletes, including more than 100 Portuguese internationals in various modalities.
It concerns a text asking athletes for respect and dignity in response to “the way in which the results of judoka Jorge Fonseca’s access to the Public Security Police (PSP) were discussed publicly”.
“The question that arises is not the fact that Jorge Fonseca has not been admitted or has not been able to achieve a minimum grade that gives him access. What we need to ask is what is the role of all those involved in Sport in a situation like this? Where is the social responsibility of sports stakeholders in this matter?”can be read.
Inês Caetano criticized the “fact that athletes in Portugal do not have monitoring programs that help them maintain a dual career and the transition from a sports career”, and requested clubs, federations, IPDJ to intervene in the protection and development of athletes in addition to the sporty life.
The letter was published on Saturday but has received the support of hundreds of athletes in recent days, including internationals Ângelo Girão, Bebé, Bárbara Timo, Susana Feitor and Ricardo.
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“The support of so many top athletes to this letter is finally the beginning of a reform movement. The time has come for Portugal to respect its athletes and all those who defend its national colors. We should not ask for special treatment, differentiated rules , but we must demand respect and dignity. When we wrote this letter, which represents the many athletes we deal with every day, we wanted to get this message across, and it is with emotion – and a sense of satisfaction – that we realize that the chain reaction has conquered it We invite everyone who loves sports, everyone who respects our athletes to sign this letter and join us to share and distribute it so that we can make a difference Together we can influence a fairer sport and safer for practitioners, and we hope this powerful message has the power to mobilize all responsible agents for a goal that everyone has in common – from athletes to recruits, passing sports directors”explains Inês Caetano, quoted in a statement sent to the editors by Sports Embassy.
Source: DN
