Italian Gymnastics Federation: Corriere della Sera Article Clarification
Italian Gymnastics Federation Responds to Corriere della Sera Article, Clarifies Safeguarding Office Details
The Italian Gymnastics Federation (FGI) has issued a statement addressing what it describes as inaccuracies in a recent article published by *Corriere della Sera* regarding the federation’s SafeGuarding Office.
Safeguarding Office Origins and Timeline
The FGI emphasizes that its SafeGuarding Office was established on March 22, 2022, with resolution 47/SG, predating complaints reported in the press by Nina Corradini and Anna Basta. The federation highlights that gymnastics was among the first to implement such a body, following Legislative Decree 39/2021. The office was initially chaired by Prof. Pierluigi Matera, with Silvia Salis, Vicario Coni, serving as vice-president.
The FGI disputes the *Corriere della Sera*’s assertion that the office was created in response to alleged mistreatment at the Academy of Rhythm of Desio in October 2022. The federation states the office had been operational for seven months prior to those complaints. Furthermore, the FGI notes that the world safeguarding office, established in 2018, is chaired by Italian Donatella Sacchi.
According to the FGI, Prof.Matera was invited to present the Italian federation’s safeguarding model at the Safe Sport Journey Symposium in Liverpool, where it was recognized as an example for other federations.
Office Transition and Current Status
Addressing claims that the current Federal SafeGuarding Office has “lost traces,” the FGI clarifies that the office’s mandate concludes at the end of each Olympic four-year cycle. The previous office concluded its term on March 1, 2025, following the 98th ordinary national assembly. The FGI states that Prof. Francesco di Ciommo (President) and Prof.Marco Naddeo have ensured the office’s continued operation during this transition.
New Regulations and Appointments
The FGI reports that President Facci recently signed new “Safeguarding Rules and Regulations.” The office will now include two additional members: Prof. Ettore Batelli, SafeGuarding Officer of the Italian Federation of Paralympic and Experimental Sports (Fispes), and Cristina Varano, a civil lawyer with experience in abuse, violence, and discrimination cases within sports federations.
Resources and Support
The FGI directs individuals to a dedicated section on its website (www.federginnastica.it) for more data on the SafeGuarding office, including the “10 golden rules of gymnastics” and an awareness campaign featuring gymnasts.
The federation explains that personnel changes within the office were due to various factors, including the death of Prof. Gianfranco dalla beard, Luigi Mazzone’s election as President of the Fencing Federation, Silvia Salis’s candidacy for mayor of Genoa, and Pierluigi Matera and Novella Calligaris taking on other roles.
Health and Psychological Support
The FGI addresses concerns about the absence of health and psychological professionals on the board, noting its partnership with the Italian Auxological Institute, a leading hospital in the treatment of eating disorders. This partnership allows FGI members access to psychologists and psychiatrists, including Prof. Leonardo Menolicicchio, for free initial consultations. The FGI also maintains a register of sports psychologists and psychotherapists to support the SafeGuarding office.
Federal Prosecutor Vacancy
the FGI clarifies the process for filling the vacant Federal prosecutor position. The federation states that the declaration for applications was published on March 28, 2025, with a deadline of April 27, 2025. The FGI emphasizes that the selection process adheres to established legal requirements and that additional requirements are unneeded.
# Italian Gymnastics Federation Safeguarding Office: Your Questions Answered
Are you curious about the Italian Gymnastics Federation’s (FGI) SafeGuarding Office? This article delves into the details, providing answers to your questions about it’s origins, role, and current status, based on the FGI’s recent statement.
## What is the Italian Gymnastics Federation’s SafeGuarding Office?
The SafeGuarding Office is a body within the Italian Gymnastics Federation dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of gymnasts. The FGI established this office in response to legislative decree 39/2021,which called for such bodies to be created.
## When was the SafeGuarding Office established?
The FGI’s SafeGuarding Office was officially established on March 22, 2022, as confirmed by the FGI.[Source:[Source:
## How does the FGI define the role of the SafeGuarding Office?
The FGI’s statement highlights the office’s role in promoting a secure environment for gymnasts, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding their well-being.
## What prompted the FGI to issue a statement about the SafeGuarding Office?
The FGI issued a statement to address what it perceived as inaccuracies in an article published by *Corriere della Sera* concerning the SafeGuarding Office.[Source:[Source:
## What does the FGI say about the timeline of the SafeGuarding Office compared to reported complaints?
The FGI disputes the *Corriere della sera*’s assertion that the office was a reaction to specific mistreatment allegations. It emphasizes that the office was operational for seven months before the complaints reported by Nina Corradini and Anna Basta.[Source:[Source:
## Who was involved in the initial establishment of the SafeGuarding Office?
Initially,the office was chaired by Prof. Pierluigi Matera, with Silvia Salis, Vicario Coni, serving as vice-president.[Source:[Source:
## Is the FGI’s safeguarding model recognized internationally?
Yes, according to the FGI, prof.Matera was invited to present the Italian federation’s safeguarding model at the Safe Sport journey Symposium in Liverpool,where it was recognized as an example for other federations.[Source:[Source:
## Is there a world Safeguarding Office?
Yes, the FGI notes the existence of a world safeguarding office, established in 2018, currently chaired by Italian donatella Sacchi.[Source:[Source:
## What is the current status and mandate of the SafeGuarding Office?
The mandate of the SafeGuarding Office aligns with the four-year Olympic cycle. The previous office concluded its term on March 1,2025,following the 98th ordinary national assembly. Currently, Prof.Francesco di Ciommo (President) and Prof. Marco Naddeo have ensured the office’s continued operation during the transition.[Source:[Source:
## What are the new regulations and appointments within the SafeGuarding Office?
President Facci recently signed new “Safeguarding Rules and Regulations.” The office will now include two additional members:
* Prof. Ettore Batelli, SafeGuarding Officer of the Italian Federation of Paralympic and Experimental Sports (Fispes)
* Cristina Varano, a civil lawyer with experience in abuse, violence, and discrimination cases within sports federations.[Source:[Source:
## Where can I find resources and support related to the SafeGuarding Office?
The FGI directs individuals to a dedicated section on its website (www.federginnastica.it) for more details. This section includes:
* The “10 golden rules of gymnastics”
* An awareness campaign featuring gymnasts.[Source:[Source:
## Why have there been personnel changes within the SafeGuarding Office?
Personnel changes are attributed to various factors including:
* The death of Prof. Gianfranco dalla beard
* Luigi Mazzone’s election as president of the Fencing Federation
* Silvia Salis’s candidacy for mayor of Genoa
* pierluigi Matera and Novella Calligaris taking on other roles.[Source:[Source:
## Does the SafeGuarding Office offer health and psychological support?
Yes, the FGI partners with the Italian Auxological Institute, a leading hospital for eating disorders, which allows FGI members access to psychologists and psychiatrists, including Prof. Leonardo Menolicicchio, for free initial consultations. The FGI also maintains a register of sports psychologists and psychotherapists.[Source:[Source:
## How can I apply for the vacant Federal prosecutor position?
The declaration for applications was published on March 28, 2025, with a deadline of april 27, 2025. The selection process adheres to established legal requirements.[Source:[Source:
## Summary of Key Points
| Aspect | details |
|---|---|
| Establishment Date | March 22, 2022 |
| Initial Chair | Prof. Pierluigi Matera |
| Current Status | Transition underway; Prof. Francesco di Ciommo and Prof. Marco Naddeo ensuring continued operation. |
| Key Partnerships | italian Auxological Institute (health & psychological support) |
| Website Resources | www.federginnastica.it |