In good faith | Deep Water Ep6
12/16/202539 min
After weeks of chasing him, Lydia finally speaks to Vitomir Maričić, the Croatian freediver at the heart of the scandal – and he tells his side of the story.
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Reporter - Lydia Gard
Producer - Gary Marshall.
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First 90 secondsTalia Davidoff· Guest0:00
[gentle music] The Observer.
Lydia Gard· Host0:05
[pensive music] I first approached Vitomir and Petar back in August before their video went viral. Vitomir's initial response is quick and positive. He's happy to speak, but he asks if I'm linked to the person who led a witch hunt against them. I assume he's talking about William Trubridge, because apparently William has been contacting people in Vitomir's circle, and so have I. He says other reporting, other podcasts have been based on private interests, misinformation, and he says, "If this is another brilliant idea to try and do damage to me or my team, we will not take part in it, and it will backfire to your credibility, just like the whole previous campaigns did." I explained to Vitomir that his voice is an important part of the story, that it will be an opportunity for him to address the rumors and allegations, and I mean it. So he says he'll give me the benefit of the doubt. I also email the other two Croatians who were implicated at Vertical Blue, Petar, who doesn't reply, and Sanda, who says she's very happy to speak to anybody if it's not a dirty game behind the scenes. Meantime, I put out a post on Instagram asking people in the community to talk to me, and Petar replies saying, "I'm not part of this community."