Lebanese skier Jackie Chamoun apologized on her Facebook page Tuesday after photos from an old, racy photoshoot began to circulate on the net in recent days.
Chamoun, 22, skied for Lebanon in the Winter Games in Vancouver and will be participating in the women’s slalom and giant slalom in Sochi next week. A few years ago she participated in a photoshoot conducted by Mexican skier Prince Hubertus von Hohenlohe (the guy who has the custom Mariachi ski outfit), who creates an annual calendar intended to promote the sport. Chamoun says the photoshoot took place three years ago, though the calendar was released last year. The shoot took place at Lebanon’s Faraya ski and featured male and female ski instructors.
It’s not Chamoun’s appearance in the calendar that caused issues, but rather images from a behind-the-scenes video that showed her topless at times that created a stir.
According to Time, the video went viral a few days ago after the local Al-Jadeed television highlighted it. In response, the AP says Lebanon’s Youth and Sport minister called for an investigation into the photos and video. He wanted to ensure the country’s reputation was holding strong as Lebanon is a more conservative country compared to the US and elsewhere.
Chamoun definitely seems bothered by all the attention to the issue. She wrote the following statement on her Facebook page.
“I just want to make it clear to everyone who commented, shared the photos that appeared on the net in Lebanon yesterday. Yes I did photos for an Austrian ski calendar with other professional athletes 3 years ago. The photos of the photoshoot are not like the actual images that are now circulating on the net. The video and photos that you are now seeing are part of the making off, the preparation, it wasn’t supposed to go public. Anyways, I want to apologize to all of you, I know that Lebanon is a conservative country and this is not the image that reflects our culture. I fully understand if you want to criticise this.
“Now that I’m at the Olympic Games, these photos that I never saw before are being shared. It is sad. All I can ask to each of you who saw this, is to stop spreading it, it will really help me focusing on what is really important now: my trainings and race.”
Chamoun did an interview with NBC Olympics last year about the calendar and she seemed comfortable with it. It was only the behind-the-scenes video that created the issue, which she says never should have been released.
We feel badly for Chamoun especially since the timing of this is pretty rough for her. The good news is she’s received plenty of support over social media. Fans have created a #stripforjackie hashtag where they pose nude as a show of solidarity:
What really matters? My body or these issues? #StripForJackie #stripforlebanon pic.twitter.com/nN3qtnGt3u
— Lara Alameh (@LaraAlameh) February 12, 2014
Governmnt says Olympian skier who posed topless brings shame to #Lebanon. But Lebanese guys& girls #StripForJackie -> pic.twitter.com/kamynUXEtS
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) February 11, 2014
The whole thing is ridiculous and the timing is rotten for her. Hopefully she doesn’t let it become a distraction.
The video of the behind the scenes shoot is NSFW but can be seen here.
