Abuse in rhythmic gymnastics, the Butterflies coach deferred

The investigation into the alleged abuses in the world of rhythmic gymnastics is at a turning point. The federal prosecutor’s office referred it to the Domestic Gymnastics Tribunal Emanuela Maccaranidirector of the center and national coach, and her assistant coach Olga Tishina. The sports justice investigation concerns in particular the alleged mistreatment of the Butterflies of the Federal Academy of Desio which was commissioned last November.

The two coaches are accused of violating article 7 of the FGI Code of Ethics and art. 2 of the Coni Code of Sporting Conduct. They would have fallen short of one “conduct inspired by the principles of loyalty, impartiality, integrity and honesty”, would not have avoided “acts and behaviors characterized by animosity or conflict”, and would not have maintained “relationships based on trust and collaboration, inspired by correctness, transparency and mutual respect”. So much for the first article. The second charge is for the alleged violation of the “principles of loyalty and fairness in any function, performance or relationship in any way attributable to sporting activity”.

At two o’clock they would be contested, for the period up to the summer of 2020, «training methods that do not comply with the duties of correctness and professionalismputting in place psychological pressures and causing eating and psychological disorders in some gymnasts».

The inquiries were born from complaints from former athletes of rhythmic gymnastics who told of abuse and forcing: offenses for weight, training even when injured. The girls told of eating disorders and suicide attempts.

Within 20 days the two coaches can send their observations to the sports court. The date of the proceeding has yet to be set, which could lead to penalties of various weights: admonition, disqualification and expulsion. There are two levels of judgment. Meanwhile, the Federal Council, convened in extraordinary session on February 12th, could decide the termination of the contracts of both, contracts which are renewed annually. For now, the two coaches are at work at the Academy.

Emanuela Maccarani, the most titled coach in the history of Italian rhythmic with 8 world gold medals, an Olympic silver medal in Athens 2004, and two Olympic bronze medals in London 2012 and Tokyo 2020, and Olga Tishina are also registered in the register of suspects of the Monza prosecutor’s office. In this investigation, the hypothesis of the crime is that of ill-treatment of people entrusted to custody.

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