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Gymnastics and reports of ill-treatment: the leaders of the Federation in the Prosecutor’s Office

Just before 4.30 pm the interrogations ended in front of the prosecutor of Brescia Alessio Berardi of the president of the rhythmic gymnastics federation Gherardo Tecchi, of the general secretary Roberto Pentrella and of the technical commissioner Emanuela Maccarani.

The heads of the Italian rhythmic gymnastics federation left the Brescia court through a secondary exit, thus avoiding meeting the press. The three were heard as part of the investigation into the alleged physical and psychological abuse of some gymnasts who reported and who attended a gym in Calcinato, in the province of Brescia.

They were heard as persons informed of the facts, in the context of the investigation into the alleged abuses reported by two young gymnasts, who until last spring trained in a federal gym in Calcinato. Gherardo Tecchi, Roberto Pentrella and Emanuela Maccarani showed up around 1pm. They didn’t want to make any statements, not even on arrival.

A Desio

The hearings were also held in the morning at the Desio Academy, now a police station. The federal prosecutor’s office moved to hear the gymnasts and therefore the coaches, included Emanuela Maccarani, technical director of the national team of rhythmic gymnastics. «I have just been heard by the federal prosecutor: I am very serene. The investigations are in full swing and I absolutely cannot say anything else,” Maccarini said after speaking with federal prosecutor Michele Rossetti. “Now we are waiting for the sports justice to carry out the necessary investigations”.

“We are taking this moment very seriously. Any report of incorrect behavior for us must be promptly evaluated. Between today and tomorrow we will hear from all sides between athletes, technicians and staff and in case we ascertain any responsibility we will take the necessary measures” declared the federal prosecutor Michele Rossetti. «It is useful to remember that what we are conducting is a fact-finding investigation activated ex officio precisely because there is no complaint corresponding to the reports reported by the press. But due to the seriousness that distinguishes the federal prosecutor’s office, we felt it was our duty to clarify things as quickly as possible”.