Two Italian swimmers—Benedetta Pilato and Chiara Tarantino—were detained at Changi Airport, Singapore, on 14 August 2025, after an alleged shoplifting incident.
According to The Straits Times, CCTV footage showed Tarantino placing three perfume bottles into Pilato’s suitcase before attempting to leave a duty-free store without paying.
The pair were arrested, searched, and spent the night in a police station. With assistance from the Italian embassy, they were moved to a hotel while their passports were confiscated for investigations.
The athletes were stopped by security and taken into custody. AP News reported that both women underwent hours of questioning, and Pilato was subjected to a strip search during the investigation.
With the involvement of the Italian embassy, the swimmers were later transferred from the police station to a hotel, though their passports were held during the probe.
It was reported that the case ended on 19 August, when a local judge issued a warning, allowing the swimmers to return to Italy on 20 August.
The incident followed the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore (July 11–August 3), where Pilato had won a bronze medal in the 50 m breaststroke. After the competition, both athletes took a holiday in Bali before flying home via Singapore.
Pilato later issued a statement on Instagram, stressing that she had “collaborated with local authorities from the very beginning” and that the matter was resolved swiftly “without any implications… thanks to [her] transparency with Singapore airport authorities.” She said the episode reinforced her belief in fairness and honesty, calling it a lesson in “prudence, individual responsibility and the value of people around me.”
The Italian Swimming Federation condemned the incident but clarified that it happened during a private vacation rather than an official sporting event. The federation said it may carry out an internal review if necessary, reported The Straits Times.
Images via Instagram
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