A top Italian rhythmic gymnastic coach
and her Russian assistant face a sporting trial for alleged
abuse of young athletes after being charged on Wednesday by
prosecutors from the national gymnastics federation.
Emanuela Maccarani, technical director of the International
Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy of Desio near Monza, and Olga
Tishina are accused of adopting "training methods not in
compliance with the obligations of correctness and
professionalism".
The charge said these methods subjected the athletes to
"psychological pressure" that provoked "eating and psychological
disorders in some gymnasts".
Maccarani and Tishina are also being probed in a criminal
investigation that is still at a preliminary stage.
Prosecutors in Brescia are investigating after the mother of two
sisters who have left the sport filed a complaint over alleged
psychological abuse the girls were subjected to by coaches in
relation to their weight and physical appearance.
Two former members of the national team, Nina Corradini and Anna
Basta, last year told La Repubblica that they suffered
humiliation and pressure in relation to their weight at the
rhythmic gymnastics academy.
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