Swimmers suspended for 90 days
Rome
The Italian Swimming Federation has suspended swimmers Benedetta Pilato and Chiara Tarantino for 90 days following a shoplifting incident at Singapore airport. The decision, announced Thursday, considered the athletes’ admission of responsibility and their cooperation during the investigation.
Pilato, 20, a former world record holder in the women’s 50-metre breaststroke, won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Singapore on August 3. Tarantino, 22, has been part of Italy’s national swimming team. The suspension prevents both swimmers from competing in the European Short Course Championships, scheduled from December 2 to 7 in Lublin, Poland.
Reports in Italian media say the incident occurred in late August during a stopover in Singapore on their return from a holiday in Bali. Tarantino allegedly stole essential oil bottles from a duty-free shop and hid them in Pilato’s bag. Security cameras captured the act. Both athletes were briefly detained by local authorities but were later released with help from Italian diplomats.
Pilato addressed the matter on Instagram, saying she was unwillingly and indirectly “involved in an unpleasant incident handled by Singapore airport authorities.” She stressed that she had no intention of acting inappropriately and emphasized her respect for “the values of sport, fairness, and personal honesty.” She added that the episode taught her lessons about prudence, responsibility, and the importance of the people around her.
Tarantino has not made any public comments about the suspension or the incident.
The swimming federation’s decision sends a strong message about accountability and upholding ethical standards among athletes representing Italy on the international stage.
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