Olympic champion accuses gymnastics legend Vitaly Scherbo of rape
Tatiana Gutsu and Vitaly Scherbo
The former Olympic gymnast Tatiana Gutsu from Ukraine claims she fell victim of sexual assault by Belarusian legendary gymnast Vitaly Scherbo. The incident between the two athletes in the Soviet Union national team reportedly took place during a competition in Stuttgart. Gutsu was only 15 and Scherbo 19 back then.
"This is me being brave after 27 years… Who rape me in Stuttgart Germany DTB 1991. [Vitaly Scherbo]. Monster who kept me in my own prison to be afraid for so many years. I know you will try to [defend] yourself. But my details are much stronger than your words. I’m strong now then ever. You can’t (break) me down anymore," Gutsu wrote in her post.
Tatiana Gutsu adds her voice to that of thousands of sexual assault victims who have shared their stories on social media as part of the #MeToo campaign.
Tatiana Gutsu also strongly accused her former Ukrainian team mates Tatiana Toropova Таццяну and Rustam Sharipov who chose to remain by-standers and did not stand up to protect her: "
“You where there you heard everything you never stand stand up to protect me … Rustam Sharipov thank you for being a great body for your friend and not protecting me as a little girl at 15.”
Gutsu owns a gymnastics gym in Michigan has promised to support everyone who is brave to share their sexual assault traumas.
