Canada’s Mary-Sophie Harvey Says “I Was Drugged” In Mystery Assault On Last Night Of Budapest World Titles
Mary-Sophie Harvey, the Canadian medley ace, says she was drugged on the final night at the World Championships in Budapest last month, leaving her with a concussion and rib sprain after an episode in which there was a “four-to-six-hour window where I can’t recall a single thing”.
In an Instagram post, the 22-year-old swimmer writes: “I’m still scared to think about the unknowns of that night. I’m still in a way, ashamed of what happened, and I think I always will be … But I won’t let this event define me.”
The incident is said to have unfolded while Harvey, a relay bronze medallist for Canada at the Tokyo Olympic Games last year, was out celebrating in the Hungarian capital after the last session of finals on June 25.
FINA is to launch an investigation into the incident, calling the allegations “distressing”. The federation said that it was “deeply concerned” about Harvey’s wellbeing.
Harvey has been left searching for answers. Alongside images of several bruises on her body, she wrote:
“On the last night of the World Championships, I got drugged. At the time I wasn’t aware of what got inside of me, I just remember waking up the next morning completely lost; with our team manager and doctor at my bedside … The only thing I can say is this: I’ve never felt more ashamed.”
Mary-Sophie Harvey – photo: Mary-Sophie Harvey in action at the World Championships in Budapest – by Patrick B. Kraemer
After she travelled back to Canada, her mother remarked that she seemed different. The swimmer wrote: “It felt like the body I was in, wasn’t mine [it still feels this way]. I got home and found a dozen bruises on my body. Some of my friends told me afterwards that they had to carry me while I was unconscious and it probably explained why.”
Harvey: I’m Lucky To Escape With Rib Strain & Concussion
Harvey was treated at the hospital by doctors and psychologists and said she felt “lucky” to emerge from the incident with a rib sprain and concussion and nothing more serious. She added:
“Sadly, these events happen more than we think it does. There’s been a dangerous increasing number of cases reported throughout the years but it is still not being talked about enough. The resources for victims are still difficult to find and the judgment from outsiders are still very much present. To anyone reading this, please be careful. I thought I was safe, that it would never happen to me, especially while being surrounded by friends. But it did.”
Mary-Sophie Harvey in. action in Budapest – Photo by Patrick B. Kraemer
Swimming Canada said in a statement it was aware of “an incident” during the competition. It will hold a press event on Harvey’s situation with the swimmer tomorrow, Friday.
“As soon as team staff became aware, Mary received excellent medical treatment from our team physician on site, and was cleared to travel home,” the federation noted.
Harvey says she is now trying her best to focus on the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England later this month.