Italian swimmers detained at Singapore airport for shoplifting

ROME — Two Italian swimmers returning residence from the world championships in Singapore have been stopped and briefly detained by airport authorities on the Asian island for shoplifting.

Benedetta Pilato, who gained a bronze medal within the 50-meter breaststroke, and Chiara Tarantino have been launched after the Italian embassy intervened on their behalf, the Italian swimming federation mentioned Friday.

“While condemning the incident, the Italian swimming federation reserves the right to carefully evaluate the matter,” the federation mentioned in an announcement.

Tarantino put objects that she stole inside Pilato’s suitcase, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported.

The incident occurred lengthy after the worlds ended on Aug. 3, because the swimmers returned from trip in Bali.

“On days that should have been mainly for rest and mental relaxation, I went through, far from home, particularly difficult moments, which fortunately turned out to be independent of my will, but which seriously affected me,” Pilato wrote on Instagram.

“I want to specify that I collaborated with local authorities from the very beginning, with the full support of the Italian embassy. Fortunately, the incident ended within a few hours, without any implications, thanks to my maximum transparency with the Singapore airport authorities.”

Pilato, 20, gained gold within the 100 breast on the 2022 worlds and has additionally claimed 4 different medals at long-course worlds. She completed fourth within the 100 breast finally 12 months’s Paris Olympics.

“I never intended to commit inappropriate gestures, and those who know me know how much I care about sport values, fairness and personal honesty,” Pilato mentioned. “From this experience, I’ve learned great lessons about prudence, individual responsibility and the value of the people around me.”

Tarantino, 22, earned a bronze within the combined 4×100 free relay on the 2021 European championships.

Tarantino had no quick remark.