Following strong reactions to his initial statement about the Greek "#metoo" movement and his Instagram pun, Lefteris Petrounias went public with new statements.
Interviewed on ANT1 news, he said: "The way I expressed myself in was completely wrong. I feel I owe my sincerest apology to all Greeks. I definitely did not do justice to myself in that phrasing”.
"I fully stand by the #metoo movement, I stand by anyone who has suffered violence. I feel the need to apologize over and over again_ no insult was meant but still the blame is all mine. I do not abide with any form of violence, all forms of violence are to be condemned” he said.
Lefteris Petrounias also added “I felt I had to apologize in public, as I held myself responsible for the slip. Being an award winning athlete does not go hand in hand with accuracy in expressing one’s thoughts. "
The statement that caused a stir
Lefteris Petrounias said: "Championship is a hard arena. Having said that, I need to make clear that in case, only in case, let me me repeat that just in case anyone has suffered ill doing of that manner, it may as well be so, but I have no knowledge of an athlete in the spotlight having suffered that kind of pain- this said standing only for what it is"
His statement caused an uproar of reactions so posting on Instagram he attempted to make amends.
"My unfortunate post spoke against all I stand for. I firmly believe that each and every person who makes their personal story public is brave beyond doubt. I strongly support every single person who has suffered violence of any form”.