Bronze response to tough years says rhythmic skipper

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 10 - The captain of Italy's rhythmic gymnastics team said Saturday's bronze medal behind China and Israel had been a response to a few tough years after winning the bronze three years ago at Tokyo 2020.
    "We won bronze again after Tokyo and that is never a foregone conclusion," Butterflies skipper Alessia Maurelli told Rai Sport.
    "We stayed with our heads until the last and it is a very important result for us after three years that were perhaps too difficult, also thanks to our coaches and all the girls who work with us".
    "We have never exposed ourselves, our answer was to continue to work and this medal is the answer," said the Italian, referring to a media storm over complaints of former gymnasts against coaches for alleged physical and verbal abuse. (ANSA).