Carlotta Ferlito at Verissimo: the abuse, the illness, the difficulties

April 28 – 6.49pm – MILAN

After the exclusive chat with Oriana Sabatini, the emotional moments with the sisters Annalisa and Francesca Minetti, the art of Alessandra Celentano and the sympathy of Cristiano Malgioglio, Silvia Toffanin thrilled the Canale 5 audience with another memorable interview. That a Carlotta Ferlitoa former internationally renowned gymnast who spoke about herself with an open heart, retracing the stages of her life, from sporting successes to the most difficult challenges.

The dark ages of abuse suffered in the world of gymnastics, a wound that he decided to courageously denounce, and finally the theme of illness which affected both his parents. A touching story of life lived, of successes, pain but also a great desire for redemption.

the story of Carlotta Ferlito

—

After a brilliant career as a gymnast, culminating with participation in the London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics, Carlotta Ferlito has decided to reinvent herself. After retiring from sporting activity in 2019, she graduated with honors in Communication, Media and Advertising from the IULM University of Milan. In addition to being a point of reference on social media, her voice has become a spokesperson for crucial issues, denouncing the psychological violence suffered in the sporting world. Away from the platforms, she took part in the talent show Dance Dance Dance 2 in 2018 and has published three books. Ferlito was also awarded two MTV Awards as Sport Hero in 2013 and 2014. After the end of her relationship with the gymnast Matteo DeMartinihowever, now seems focused on her personal and professional path.

abuse and reporting

—

“No little girl should be slapped, humiliated if she asks to go to the bathroomforced to do exercises where she risks her neck just as a punishment”, Carlotta Ferlito said in a monologue to Hyenas. “Being called a pig for daring to eat an extra biscuit,” she reiterated today to Silvia Toffanin. “I spoke with the conviction that if you try to make your voice heard, in the end someone will listen to you. This sport cannot and must no longer be made up of psychological and physical violence“. “I want to decide how, when and where my career begins and ends, to be autonomous, even inconvenient if necessary, to not obey anyone. I try to improve every day, just like I did in the past as an athlete, only today I do it as a person, as a woman. And this time I do it alone, without anyone who can decide for me what is right and what is wrong”, she commented.

Eating disorders

—

Today Carlotta has only one regret related to her career: “One thing I carry with me, my skeleton in the closet, is not having chosen the end of my career. When you stop training so much, your body inevitably changes.” The young woman spoke briefly with Silvia Toffanin dei eating disorders that emerged after the end of the career: “When I left those four walls of the gym and confronted myself with the outside world I felt less and less safe. From there I started to no longer see myself, to no longer eat. I only felt loved and appreciated when I was a gymnast and went to Olympics. Then I discovered it in therapy: it was as if people no longer loved me.”

the mother’s illness

—

Carlotta Ferlito’s mother, Roberta, is suffering from ALS; the diagnosis dates back to 2022. Since then, the condition has drastically worsened day after day. “My mother won’t be here for much longer”, she said emotionally very true. “I can’t wait for his pain may cease to exist. Trust me, seeing mum pass away day after day is the greatest pain I have ever felt in my life and I think I will never feel a greater one.” And on the therapeutic obstinacy: “Mom doesn’t want to be intubated. Everyone should be able to decide when their life no longer makes sense to live.”

Just yesterday Mrs. Roberta she was transferred to a hospicea difficult moment which by Carlotta’s own admission was characterized by crying and tears: “When they fixed her up, they made us leave the room and when we came back she told us ‘Don’t treat me like a fool’, letting us understand that it was still present and who wants to help us manage this situation.”

father’s heart attack

—

In addition to her mother’s illness, the former gymnast experienced a moment of intense fear when her father, MaximumHe had a heart attack in October 2023. Fortunately, thanks to his timely intervention and the doctors’ care, the man is out of danger and recovering. However, the event profoundly affected Carlotta Ferlito, making her reflect on the fragility of life and the importance of enjoying every moment with your loved ones. “My dad, our rock, tried to leave us his feathers yesterday, but my stubbornness, undoubtedly inherited from him, suggested I take him weight in the emergency room and they caught him just in time”, the former gymnast wrote on social media.