Thelma Monteiro, Portuguese judo player, left, this Monday, harsh criticism of the Judo Federation, through a post on social media.

“Tomorrow I will travel to my first competition after knee surgery. The federation today sacked coach Anna Hormijo, via email, the day before he left the team! Without knowing the team or the team beforehand. In Olympic Qualifying Week! Yesterday, at the federation meeting, I learned that the president told attendees that this week the athletes who wrote the open letter a few months ago will have to step back or be taken to court.

The player talked about the expenses she had to compete: “This year, I already paid for international training, and I paid for expenses related to surgery (!!) that were not covered by the insurance that the federation sent me to call (I emailed a week about it, they did not reply to me) ) And now from what I understand, if I want to carry out my entire sports plan, I will have to pay as well.”

The judoka also denounced the threats issued by the federation: “Yesterday in the Federation Council, I learned that the president informed the audience that the athletes who wrote the open letter a few months ago will have to retreat this week or they will be brought to trial.”

Tlma Monteiro, who left a love letter to coach Ana Hormigo, said she would represent Portugal “with the same desire and pride, even if she had to pay for it”.