Italian Paralympic archer arrested for alleged sexual assault

Italian Paralympic archer Matteo Bonacina has been put under house arrest for the alleged sexual abuse and stalking of female members of the national team.

The 41-year-old compound open specialist in the W2 class, the 2023 individual world champion and a competitor at the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Paralympics, allegedly severely harassed at least five female athletes, including some minors, and one female coach between 2019 and 2024, CE Report quotes ANSA.

The Rome Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation after the Italian Archery Federation banned Bonacina last year following a sporting trial into his conduct.

A preliminary investigations judge wrote in the arrest warrant that "his behaviour caused fear, discomfort and agitation among athletes and coaches, to the point of establishing a climate of terror in the national team".

The national team's technical director is also under investigation for failing to stop the alleged abuse.

According to daily newspaper la Repubblica, among other things, Bonacina allegedly demanded that a female national team athlete give him a red thong as a good-luck charm for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

During the Games themselves, he allegedly attempted to rape another Italian female athlete in the hotel room where he was staying and sent intimate images to women athletes.

Photo World Archery