Italian Paralympic Archery Star Matteo Bonacina Placed Under House Arrest Amid Sexual Abuse Allegations

The world of Paralympic sports is reeling following the news that Matteo Bonacina, one of Italy’s most decorated archers, has been placed under house arrest. The Rome prosecutor’s office ordered the measure on May 6, 2026, as the culmination of a grueling five-year investigation into allegations of systematic stalking and sexual abuse targeting members of the Italian national team.

Bonacina, a compound open specialist in the W2 class, is accused of creating what a preliminary investigations judge described as a “climate of terror” within the national team. The charges involve the alleged harassment of at least five female athletes—some of whom were minors at the time—and one female coach between 2019 and 2024.

A Pattern of Systematic Abuse

According to investigative reports from ANSA and Il Messaggero, the evidence suggests Bonacina’s behavior was not isolated but part of a repeated pattern of predatory conduct. Investigators have reconstructed a timeline of abuse that began as early as 2019, characterized by unsolicited intimate images and sexually explicit messages sent to young athletes starting in 2021.

The allegations include instances of groping during official team trips, often occurring in public settings or in the presence of other teammates. In one particularly disturbing claim, Bonacina allegedly demanded that a female national team athlete provide him with a red thong to serve as a “good-luck charm” for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

For those unfamiliar with the structure of the national team, these athletes often travel and train in close quarters for months at a time, making the alleged power imbalance and persistence of this behavior particularly damaging to the team’s cohesion and the athletes’ mental well-being.

The Paris 2024 Incident: An Escalation

While the investigation spans several years, a central point of the current legal action is an incident that allegedly occurred during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. According to court documents, a young athlete reported that Bonacina entered her hotel room and surprised her just as she was exiting the shower.

The athlete claims that Bonacina initiated physical contact, which she firmly rejected before managing to free herself and force him to leave the room. Prosecutors view this episode as a significant escalation in Bonacina’s behavior, moving from digital harassment and verbal abuse to a direct physical attempt at assault.

Fall From Grace: From World Champion to House Arrest

The severity of these charges stands in stark contrast to Bonacina’s professional standing. Born in Bergamo and disabled following a work accident, Bonacina became a leading figure in Paralympic archery. His resume is impressive: he is a 2023 individual world champion and a three-time Paralympian, having competed in Rio, Tokyo, and Paris.

His contributions to the sport were formally recognized in 2023 when he was awarded the Collare d’Oro, one of Italy’s highest honors for sporting merit. However, the prestige of these accolades has been overshadowed by the legal findings. The Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office only launched the criminal investigation after the Italian Archery Federation had already banned Bonacina last year following a separate sporting trial into his conduct.

Key Details of the Investigation

• Timeline: Alleged abuses spanning 2019 to 2024.
• Victims: At least five female athletes (including minors) and one female coach.
• Legal Status: Currently under house arrest per the Rome prosecutor’s office.
• Prior Sanctions: Banned by the Italian Archery Federation in 2025.

Institutional Failure and Ongoing Probes

The investigation is not limited to Bonacina alone. The Rome prosecutor is also scrutinizing the leadership of the national team. The technical director is currently under investigation for alleged negligence, specifically for failing to intervene or stop the abuse despite the prolonged nature of the harassment.

The judge’s arrest warrant emphasized that the behavior caused extreme “fear, discomfort and agitation” among the staff and athletes. This suggests a systemic failure in safeguarding protocols within the national program, raising questions about how a world-class athlete could allegedly operate with such impunity for half a decade.

This case highlights a growing global conversation within the Paralympic movement regarding the protection of athletes. When a high-profile champion is also a suspected predator, the responsibility of governing bodies to prioritize athlete safety over medal counts becomes paramount.

What Happens Next?

Matteo Bonacina remains under house arrest as the legal process continues. The Rome prosecutor’s office is expected to further analyze the digital evidence—including the explicit messages and images—and witness statements to build the final case for trial.

The sporting community now awaits further updates on the status of the national team’s technical director and whether the Italian Archery Federation will implement new safeguarding measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Next Checkpoint: Further details are expected as the preliminary hearings proceed in the Rome court system. We will update this story as official court transcripts become available.

Do you think sports federations are doing enough to protect athletes from internal abuse? Let us know in the comments below.