This Olympian guilty of attacking a sleeping young woman

An Olympian has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a sleeping young woman, despite the defense attempting to discredit the victim's testimony.

“The court is convinced beyond reasonable doubt of the guilt of [Maciej Pryczek]“, we read in the judgment rendered on December 16.

The accused categorically denied having committed a sexual assault in 2022 on the victim who “trusted” him.

The young woman – whose identity is protected by a publication ban – was celebrating her 18th birthday at the restaurant, and “could never have imagined what happened that evening,” writes judge Patricia Compagnone .

She was accompanied by Pryczek, a speed skater who represented Poland at the 1998 Olympics, as well as a third person.

After dinner, the trio returns by Uber to this third guest, who puts them up for the night.

While the victim and Pryczek were in the back seat, the latter took the opportunity to “squeeze his thigh”.

“Uncomfortable with this touch, she told him to stop and cupped his hand,” reported the judge.

She was sleeping on the couch

Arriving at their destination, the trio settles down to sleep in the living room. Pryczek had to sleep on a mattress on the floor, while the victim and the hostess each had one side of a sectional couch.

In the middle of the night, the young victim is woken up by Pryczek, 48, who is near her and shines on her with a light appearing to emanate from a cell phone.

He then begins to touch her, to abuse her. Terrified at the idea that a “reaction on his part could make the situation worse,” she pretends to be asleep, hoping that her attacker will leave her alone.

It’s when he whispers to her “are you awake?” that she recognizes the voice of Maciej Pryczek, who then returns to bed on his side. The victim, terrified, took refuge in the bathroom.

The hostess “does not hear and does not see the gestures that [l’agresseur] would have posed” since she wears earplugs, and the events took place “discreetly”. The next morning, when the victim tells her what she experienced, she accompanies him to the police station.

Defendant's testimony rejected

During the trial, Pryczek categorically denied having assaulted the young woman. The defense pleads that the victim “unreliable” and that she “exaggerates”.

Certain contradictions concerning the color of the sweater worn by Pryczek are also raised by his lawyer.

To conclude that the complainant is exaggerating, in this case, “would be tantamount to maintaining a myth or a stereotype”, insists the judge, also indicating that “the color of the sweater constitutes a collateral fact”.

Rather, it is Pryczek's testimony that is rejected by the court, since he “adjusts his testimony.” Thus, his version of the facts cannot be “believed or considered probable”.

The attacker was working in a school at the time of the events, we understand in the judgment.