Stalking is not often referred to as one of the forms of abuse a person can suffer. Yet Anna Korakaki's experience brings it into the public debate. A few days ago, the news of her partner's car being destroyed by a «fan in love» flooded the media, and now she herself is putting her stamp on awareness with a lengthy Facebook post.
It should be remembered here that the man who, among other things, had broken into her house and burned her partner's car, was sentenced to five years in prison, without parole.
The Olympic gold medalist in shooting, uploaded photos of the rashes she broke out due to the psychological state she was in during the period when this man had literally become her shadow, and in one text she manages to describe a nightmare that many women (and men) have gone through out there.
The post of Anna Korakaki
«He's not a fan. It's insulting to those who truly admire and respect my athletic career and my efforts. He is not a lover; he is offended by love, which is so beautiful. It is obsessive and potentially dangerous.
He watched my every move, my friends and my partner; he had become my shadow. I found bouquets everywhere. She was constantly around me. Despite recommendations from all of us, even my father and the police, to stop all his actions, he continued.
Then he and his friend tried to break into my apartment when I was alone. I struggle with post-traumatic stress and psychosomatic illnesses. I suffer from insomnia, fatigue, depressive episodes, intense feelings of insecurity, anxiety and generalised stress. This is what stalking causes. Trying to stay productive and at an excellent level athletically was wearing me out. My fears intensified when I was informed that he had previously physically abused his ex-wife. Dawn, July 13, 2021; the climax. He sets my partner's car on fire and burns it to the ground. All this, five days before I board the plane to Tokyo. Ahead of the Olympics, I was mentally paralyzed. Seeing the car burnt to ashes, I shuddered at the thought that it might hurt my family. So while I was in Japan, mentally I was in Greece. I fought with a terrible psychology and very little concentration. Going into two Olympic finals and finishing with two 6th place finishes was a feat for me. Many of you might understand now, because after the races I stated in the media: «It is good that people are not strict with the athletes». In general, don't (mis)judge. You never know what the other person is going through.
P.S. 1): the Mixed Jury Court of Kavala sentenced him to 5 years imprisonment. I thank them warmly, because they did not recognize any mitigating circumstances and did not grant a suspensive effect in the appeal. They did their best; unfortunately, however, on the basis of the legal framework, the actual time he will serve is frighteningly short of 5 years.
P.S 2): the photos are the most «raw» I have posted. Somehow so I experienced stalking.“
