Scandal Rocks Italy’s National Rhythmic Gymnastics Team: Athletes Left in Underwear and Locked in a Room

Disturbing revelations of psychological abuse and mistreatment of young gymnasts have emerged from the Italian national rhythmic gymnastics team. The head coach, Emanuela Macarani, was dismissed following allegations of athlete mistreatment. Phone conversations, uncovered through wiretaps, exposed harsh and degrading disciplinary practices. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, former coach Giulietta Cantalupi, associated with the Fabriano club, also faced accusations. In one conversation, assistant coach Olga Tisina revealed that Cantalupi forced athletes to remove parts of their clothing each time they failed to perform an exercise correctly, leaving them in their underwear in front of coaches and teammates. Additionally, athletes aged 14-16 were punished by being locked in a small room without communication devices. Even Olympic bronze medalist Sofia Rafaele was subjected to these cruel practices, having once been forced to kneel before a coach and beg for leniency after a poor performance. The atmosphere remains tense in Italian rhythmic gymnastics as all eyes are on resolving this scandal to restore the sport’s integrity.