The Italian Swimming Federation (FIN) has officially concluded its disciplinary proceedings concerning Olympic swimmers Benedetta Pilato and Chiara Tarantino, following an incident that occurred at Singapore Airport shortly after the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.
In August, the two athletes were briefly detained and questioned by airport authorities after reportedly leaving a duty-free shop without paying for several items. The situation was resolved within a few hours, with the support of the Italian Embassy, and no formal charges were filed.
The episode, which took place during a private vacation following the World Championships, has now been formally addressed on a disciplinary level.
After receiving authorization from the CONI General Prosecutor’s Office, the FIN accepted the sanction proposal issued by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, following the individual plea bargain requests submitted by both athletes.
Taking into account the findings of the investigation and the cooperative attitude of Pilato and Tarantino — who admitted their responsibility — the Prosecutor’s Office imposed a 90-day suspension from all federation and social activities, effective immediately.
Official statement (translated from Italian):
In relation to the proceedings concerning Benedetta Pilato and Chiara Tarantino, the Italian Swimming Federation, having also received authorization from the Office of the CONI Prosecutor General, has accepted the sanction proposal issued by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office regarding the plea bargain requests individually submitted by the parties.
Taking into account the findings of the investigation and the cooperative attitude of the athletes, who have admitted their responsibility, the Prosecutor’s Office has determined a 90-day suspension from social and federation activities, effective as of today.
As a result, both swimmers will miss the 2025 European Short Course Championships in Lublin, Poland, scheduled for December.
At the previous edition of the continental meet in Otopeni (2023), Pilato claimed gold in the 50m breaststroke, setting a championship record of 28.86, and added two silver medals in the 100m breaststroke and 4×50 medley relay.
Tarantino was part of the Italian team that earned silver in the women’s 4×50 freestyle relay..
Now that’s entitlement.
At least they didn’t do performance enhancing drugs so they must be good upstanding people
So they ordinary stole things. Great commentary. Not really honest writing but that’s policy apparently.