Jacky Chamoun, a Lebanese Olympic skier, has caused a national debate after a topless video of her was leaked. Such a national debate that there have been calls for her government to investigate. The 22-year-old had posed for an Austrian calendar* atop her home country’s Faraya mountains. Video footage of her preparing for the shoot wasn’t meant to get out as it showed her topless, but it did, and it’s since been shared around the world and even featured on Lebanese TV.
At the time of the shoot, Jacky was all for it: ‘I really enjoyed it and I don't regret it. I like these photos. I have no problem with it.’
But she was never prepared for the behind-the-scenes video to be leaked – and has since apologised for any offence caused: ‘The video and photos that you are now seeing are part of the making of the preparation. It wasn't supposed to go public.’
She's also appealed on Facebook for people to stop sharing the content, adding: 'I want to apologise to all of you, I know that Lebanon is a conservative country and this is not the image that reflects our culture. All I can ask to each of you who saw this is to stop spreading it, it will really help me focus on what is really important now: my training and race.'
However, this is not enough for Lebanese officials. Faisal Karami, the Youth and Sports Minister of Lebanon, has called for an inquiry into how the photos were leaked to ensure – as he puts it – ‘the protection of Lebanon’s reputation’. And, after the Lebanese Olympic Committee met specifically to discuss the issue Jacky was barred from speaking to the media. Seriously.
As one Twitter user put it: ‘Weekly car bombs, not a big deal. #JackieChamoun in a slightly revealing photoshoot: scandal. #LebaneseProblem.’ (Just FYI, as the Syrian conflict spills over the border to Lebanon, sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shi'ite muslims have escalated into car bombings that have killed dozens of people and injured many more. If the Youth Minister is worried about Lebanon’s reputation, maybe this is the problem to tackle? Just a thought.)
*shot by Prince Hubertus of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, remember that guy?
**Follow Sophie on Twitter **@sophwilkinson
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.