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Topics: Olympics
Jack Kenmare
The father of an Olympic gold medallist has been arrested in Paris over an alleged sexual assault on a volunteer at the Games, according to reports.
Croatia's Barbara Matic celebrated a historic gold in the women's 70kg judo category on Wednesday, July 31.
The 29-year-old won her country's first gold medal of the 2024 Paris Games after beating German Olympic debutant Miriam Butkereit in the all-European clash.
After scoring with an early waza-ari, world No.1 Matic controlled the rest of the fight before her long-awaited Olympic title was confirmed.
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But the victory was overshadowed after a volunteer tasked with seating spectators at the Arena Champs-de-Mars site made a complaint to the police over the actions of Matic's father, according to BFM TV.
The report claims the volunteer, 24, was 'forcibly kissed by Barbara Matic's father' following Matic's win at the quarter-final stage.
It is said the volunteer, who tried to push him away, was 'shocked' by the behaviour of Matic's father and decided to file a complaint immediately after.
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The incident was reported to police where it was indicated that 'the father of a champion imposed a kiss on her mouth after an Olympic event,' according to a BFM source.
The report also states that the Paris prosecutor's office has entrusted the 7th arrondissement police station with 'an investigation for sexual assault, following the complaint filed on July 31 by an Olympic volunteer.'
French media also suggests the father at the focus of the investigation remained in police custody on Thursday, August 1.
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Speaking after the final, Barbara Matic said: "After placing fifth in Tokyo, I knew I had to move on and stay motivated to win here in Paris."
She added: "My parents and boyfriend are here, and I’m so glad I could finally do it in front of them. The dream came true.”
Matic, a two-time world champion, beat Kim Polling, Ai Tsunoda and Sanne van Dijke on her way to the final, where she. was eventually crowned Croatia’s first-ever Olympic judo medallist.