Alexa Lemitre, a 26-year-old athlete from Albi (Tarn), posted a message on social media on Monday, August 19, denouncing the actions of a coach who allegedly sexually assaulted her.
“When you say no, it doesn’t mean yes.” In a long post on Instagram, published Monday, August 19, 2024, Alexa Lemitre says “No”, repeatedly. This no that she had pronounced in front of her attacker but that he had not been able to hear.
The 26-year-old cross-country champion describes events that appear to amount to sexual assault, abuse and control.
Retired champion
She points to a culprit: a coach who allegedly ignored her consent. “When you are told no three times, you understand it but you continue anyway, she wrote. The relationship between a coach and his athlete is asymmetrical.” She does not cite any names, dates or details about her attacker. But she insists: “It is not okay to betray the trust of the athlete-coach relationship to achieve your own ends.”
Alexa Lemitre seems to be referring to a situation in which she was not in control of all her faculties, visibly drunk. The assault allegedly occurred several times. She insists: “The biggest mistake you can make is trusting the wrong person.”
Originally from Albi, the young Tarn native is a specialist in the 3000 meters steeplechase. Slowed down by physical problems and wanting to pursue a university project, she announced this year that she would not participate in the Paris Olympic Games, and thus ends her sporting career.
Her current coach, Sophie Duarte, a former middle-distance athlete from Aveyron, showed her support in an Instagram story. She salutes her courage and says: “It was a pleasure to accompany you”.
Contacted by France 3 Occitanie, Alexa Lemitre did not wish to comment on the matter. “so as not to interfere with its progress”on the advice of his lawyer, implicitly revealing that there would surely be a judicial investigation underway. Contacted, the Albi (Tarn) prosecutor’s office did not confirm this information at the time of publication of this article.