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US Olympic Medalist Details Sex Abuse

Swimmer Hoelzer goes public in hopes of helping other victims

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 16, 2008 10:00 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Olympic medalist Margaret Hoelzer was sexually abused, she tells the AP in the hopes of helping other victims. The abuse by the friend of a father started when she was 5 years old, the swimmer says, and did not stop until the family moved 2 years later. The abuser was arrested after Hoelzer told her mother years later, but was never charged.

“Some days I feel great about it, and I'm completely at peace with it, completely calm and ready to do this,” said the 25-year-old Alabama native, who won two silvers and a bronze in Beijing. “Then, there are other days where I'm like, ‘Oh my God, do I really want to do this?’” Counseling slowly helped her regain her self-confidence, she says, as has volunteering for the National Child Advocacy Center.

I didn't connect the dots other than feeling uncomfortable, Hoelzer said of the abuse at the hands of a friend's father. I think on a subconscious level I knew it. But consciously, I didn't.
"I didn't connect the dots other than feeling uncomfortable," Hoelzer said of the abuse at the hands of a friend's father. "I think on a subconscious level I knew it. But consciously, I didn't."   (AP Photo)
Margaret Hoelzer displays her silver medal after the women's 200-meter backstroke final during the swimming competitions in Beijing, Aug. 16, 2008.
Margaret Hoelzer displays her silver medal after the women's 200-meter backstroke final during the swimming competitions in Beijing, Aug. 16, 2008.   (AP Photo)
USA's Margaret Hoelzer celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's 200M backstroke final at the World Swimming Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, March 31, 2007.
USA's Margaret Hoelzer celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's 200M backstroke final at the World Swimming Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, March 31, 2007.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
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Some days I feel great about it, and I'm completely at peace with it, completely calm and ready to do this. Then, there are other days where I'm like, 'Oh my God, do I really want to do this?' - US Olympian Margaret Hoelzer, on being sexually abused as a child

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Swimmer discusses past in hopes of helping victims
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2008 Beijing Olympics • child abuse • sexual abuse • athlete • Olympians • USA Swimming • Margaret Hoelzer

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