Oct. 9, 2013 – USA Gymnastics is aware of the insensitive comments made by Carlotta Ferlito of Italy following the balance beam finals at the 2013 World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, and a Facebook posting that appears to be from the Italian Gymnastics Federation. Ferlito’s comments were made in an interview about the balance beam finals, where Simone Biles won the bronze medal, and in answering a question about Biles and her winning the all-around final. Ferlito has since apologized for her statements via Twitter.
"The United States is proud of its athletes and the success they achieved at our recent World Championships, especially Simone who won the all-around title and brought home four medals," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "USA Gymnastics is disappointed by the recent comments made by Carlotta Ferlito and apparently by the Italian Gymnastics Federation. Gymnastics is a global and inclusive sport with talented athletes, and there is no place for racial insensitivity. We are contacting the Italian federation for clarification on its comments."