Benedetta Pilato and Chiara Tarantino have been suspended for 90 days, the Italian Swimming Federation announced following a disciplinary process linked to an incident in August in Singapore, when both athletes were stopped at the airport on suspicion of theft.
The swimmers were released after a few hours thanks to intervention by the Italian Embassy and returned to Italy on August 20. They subsequently submitted individual requests for plea agreements.
The Federal Prosecutor, taking into account the athletes’ cooperation and acknowledgment of responsibility, imposed a 90-day suspension from all social and federation activities, effective immediately.
As a result, Pilato and Tarantino will not be able to participate in the European Short Course Championships scheduled in Poland from December 2 to 7.
In an official statement, the Italian Swimming Federation noted that it acted “after receiving clearance from the General Prosecutor of CONI” and accepted the proposed sanction “in light of the facts established and the cooperative attitude of the athletes.”