Italy’s rhythmic gymnastics world has been rocked by a widening abuse scandal, with new allegations implicating Julieta Cantaluppi, a coach currently serving on the Israeli national team since 2023.
The revelations, published by La Gazzetta dello Sport, center around Emanuela Maccarani, the former head coach and technical director of Italy’s national rhythmic gymnastics team, who was dismissed last week and is now facing trial over allegations of abusive conduct toward gymnasts aged 14 to 16.
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Julieta Cantaluppi
(Photo: Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The report includes testimonies describing harsh disciplinary practices, prompting the paper to warn: “If confirmed, these details could shake the entire sports world.”
Among the evidence published were recordings related to the ongoing legal proceedings, in which prominent gymnasts Sofia Raffaeli and Milena Baldassarri, along with Italian Gymnastics Federation officials, raise serious concerns not only about Maccarani but also about Cantaluppi and Olga Tishina, Maccarani’s deputy. The case against Tishina has since been dropped.
In the recordings, Tishina reportedly says: “The situation with Cantaluppi is far worse. There are cases of abuse. She forced Raffaeli and Serena Ottaviani to throw the hoop, and each time they failed, they had to remove part of their clothing. In the end, they were left in their underwear. She locked them in a small, cold room without phones or anything, as punishment for poor training sessions. They sat there on the floor.”
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While the claims against Maccarani have prompted legal action, no formal complaints have been filed against Cantaluppi to date. The newspaper itself cautioned that "these allegations must be treated with great care," as unlike Maccarani, no gymnast has submitted an official complaint against Cantaluppi.
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Raffaeli (right) on the podium at the Paris Olympics
(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Israel Gymnastics Federation responded in a statement: “Julieta has been working with us for the past year. She was brought into the program based on her professional skills and outstanding reputation in the sport. We are unaware of the claims reported in the article, and from our day-to-day experience, there has been no behavior of this kind within the national team framework.”
The statement continued: “False allegations have at times made their way into the press due to strained personal relationships. We will not allow unfounded rumors to damage the team’s work with Cantaluppi as a staff member. We’ve encountered a warm and caring individual, evident in her decision to remain in Israel during wartime. Feedback from gymnasts and staff reflects a positive and valued personality. She is an integral part of the professional team, and the working relationship within the coaching staff is excellent, professional and productive.”
The allegations have yet to prompt any formal investigation in Israel or Italy concerning Cantaluppi.