Italian Paralympic Archery Champion Matteo Bonacina Placed Under House Arrest Following Sexual Abuse Allegations

The world of Para archery is reeling following the news that Matteo Bonacina, a decorated Italian champion and multi-time Paralympian, has been placed under house arrest. The Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an extensive investigation into allegations of sexual abuse, stalking, and psychological harassment targeting female members of the Italian national team.

Bonacina, a 41-year-old specialist in the W2 class compound open category, is not merely a participant in the sport; he is one of its most prominent figures. The 2023 individual world champion has represented Italy at the Rio, Tokyo, and Paris Paralympic Games. However, those sporting achievements now stand in the shadow of a legal case that describes a systematic “climate of terror” within the national squad.

A Pattern of Abuse and Stalking

According to reports from ANSA, the allegations span a five-year period between 2019 and 2024. Investigators allege that Bonacina severely harassed at least five female athletes—some of whom were minors at the time—as well as a female coach.

The details emerging from the Rome court are disturbing. A preliminary investigations judge noted in the arrest warrant that Bonacina’s behavior created an environment of fear and agitation among the athletes. The allegations include the sending of intimate images to female teammates and psychological manipulation designed to exert control over them.

One of the most specific and jarring claims involves the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Reports indicate that Bonacina allegedly demanded a female national team athlete provide him with a red thong to serve as a “good-luck charm” for the Games. Even more severe are the allegations regarding his conduct during the Paris event itself, where he reportedly attempted to rape another Italian female athlete in his hotel room.

Institutional Failure and the Federation’s Role

While the criminal proceedings are now moving forward in Rome, this case highlights a troubling delay in institutional response. The Italian Archery Federation had already banned Bonacina last year following a sporting trial into his conduct. However, the transition from a sporting sanction to a criminal arrest took significantly longer.

The investigation has now expanded beyond Bonacina himself. The national team’s technical director is currently under investigation for allegedly failing to stop the abuse. This raises critical questions about safeguarding protocols within the Italian Paralympic infrastructure and whether warnings from athletes were ignored by leadership in favor of maintaining a world-champion athlete on the roster.

Understanding the Stakes: What is the W2 Class?

For those unfamiliar with the technical side of the sport, the W2 class in Para archery is designed for athletes with impairments that affect their lower limbs, typically requiring the use of a wheelchair. In the compound open category, athletes use bows equipped with a system of cables and pulleys, allowing for greater precision and stability. Bonacina’s dominance in this technical field made him a face of the sport in Italy, which adds a layer of complexity to the betrayal felt by his teammates.

The Legal Path Forward

The State Police executed the house arrest order issued by the Court of Rome’s Preliminary Investigating Magistrate’s Section. Bonacina, a resident of the province of Turin, remains under these precautionary measures as the prosecution builds its case.

The charges—ranging from stalking to psychological abuse—carry significant legal weight in Italy. The focus of the prosecution is not only the physical acts of alleged assault but the long-term psychological damage inflicted on the victims, who were in a vulnerable position as teammates relying on the same support system.

Broader Implications for Paralympic Sport

This case arrives at a time when the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and national governing bodies are under increased pressure to implement rigorous safeguarding measures. The power imbalance between a world-renowned champion and junior athletes or coaches is a recurring theme in sports abuse scandals globally.

The revelation that some of the victims were minors suggests a catastrophic failure in the duty of care. When a “climate of terror” is established, athletes often feel they must choose between their mental well-being and their professional dreams. In this instance, the alleged abuse occurred across three different Paralympic cycles, suggesting that the behavior was an open secret or systematically hidden.

What Happens Next?

The legal process in Italy will now move toward a formal indictment if the preliminary investigations yield sufficient evidence. The victims’ testimonies will be central to the case, particularly regarding the events in Paris and the systemic harassment that occurred during national training camps.

The Italian Archery Federation is expected to face intense scrutiny over its internal handling of the initial sporting trial and why the authorities were not alerted sooner to the potential criminal nature of the conduct.

The next confirmed checkpoint will be the further filings from the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office as they determine the full scope of the Technical Director’s negligence and the final charges to be brought against Bonacina.

Archysport will continue to monitor this story as new court documents are released. Do you believe sporting federations should face harsher penalties when they fail to report criminal behavior to the police? Let us know in the comments.