Scandal also in Italy?: Gymnasts obviously had to take off to the underwear

Scandal also in Italy?
Gymnasts apparently had to take off to the underwear

02.04.2025, 11:45 a.m.

Abuse, humiliation, abuse? The long -time Italian national coach in rhythmic sports gymnastics is released. There are also allegations against another trainer. There is not only a scandal in German gymnastics.

In Italy’s gymnastics, a scandal draws long circles for allegations of abuse. After the long-time national coach in rhythmic sports gymnastics, Emanuela Maccarani, there are now serious accusations against the former junior national trainer Sofia Cantaluppi. This now works for the Israeli association.

According to Italian newspaper reports, she is said to have forced gymnasts in the event of errors in training, almost completely undress and kneel down. The “Gazzetta dello Sport” and other leaves rely on interrogation and listening protocols from the investigation against Maccarani. The gymnast Sofia Raffaeli, who won the bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Paris, is said to have suffered from it.

Athletes were minors

The first allegations against Maccarani came to the public three years ago. In the meantime, the public prosecutor is investigating the 58-year-old for abuse and psychological humiliation. In the listening minutes there is now also the recording of another trainer, Maccarani’s deputy Olga Tishina.

According to this, Tishina said to another trainer about Cantaluppi in November 2022: “Everything is much worse. There is abuse with her. She had Raffaeli and Serena Ottaviani throwing the tire. And every time they did not make the throw, they had to take a piece of clothing. And in the end they were in underwear.” In addition, the athletes were closed in a small, cold room when they trained poorly.

The two athletes mentioned were still a minor at the time. There was initially no statement on the allegations from the former junior trainer. The Cantaluppi has not yet been investigated. Earlier investigations against Tishina was discontinued. According to the report of the “Gazzetta Dello Sport”, association officials are also said to have made several derogies about gymnasts in calls, sometimes also with sexual undertone.

A gymnastics scandal has also caused a sensation and outrage in Germany since Christmas. Many athletes made grievances public, especially at the Kunst Turn Forum Stuttgart.