A SHAMED Olympic star who gang raped a tourist with three other men is jailed after he won a medal while on trial.
Antonino Pizzolato, 29, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison by judges in Trapani, Sicily, over the horrifying attack.
Sign up for the Sport newsletter
Thank you!
Antonio Pizzolato was sentenced to five years and four months in prison Credit: Getty
He famously stood on the podium and won a bronze medal while he was still on trial in 2024 Credit: Alamy
Pizzolato famously stood on the Olympic podium in Paris last summer while still on trial over the shocking allegations.
The disgraced Italian athlete won bronze medals at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.
Three other men – Davide Lupo, Claudio Tutino and Stefano Mongiovì – were also convicted and each handed the same five-year and four-month jail term.
Prosecutors had demanded ten years behind bars for all four defendants.
HULK TRAGEDY
Ex-Mr Universe bodybuilding legend dies in Tenerife at 57 as tributes pour in
BELT UP
Tyson Fury in line for world title shot after shooting up WBC rankings
The case centred on the terrifying ordeal of a 27-year-old Finnish tourist during a holiday in Sicily in July 2022.
Judges also ordered the convicted men to pay compensation to the victim, who joined the legal fight to sue for damages.
The woman told the court she met the four Italians while enjoying a night out in Trapani with two friends.
After hours together, her friends returned to their hotel while she continued the evening with the group at a nearby residence.
The court heard the nightmare escalated after she realised Lupo was filming her on his phone while she kissed another member of the group.
She demanded the footage be deleted.
Prosecutors said the sickening sex attack began moments later.
The woman told judges she fell asleep on a sofa before waking up in shock and fear.
Prosecutors had demanded ten years behind bars for all four defendants Credit: AFP
He has been sentenced with three other men for gang-raping a tourist Credit: AFP
She said she did not fight back because she was terrified.
The horrifying ordeal only ended when she begged to be taken back to her accommodation.
The following day, she contacted police and reported the alleged attack.
The defence argued a video recovered from one defendant’s phone showed the woman had willingly taken part in the sexual acts.
But judges rejected that claim.
The court ruled that the absence of the woman’s free and informed consent had been proven.
Lawyers representing the four convicted men have announced plans to appeal.
The victim’s lawyer, Nicola Pellegrino, said: “The court’s verdict represents an important step in a painful and delicate matter.”
He added: “It is a decision we welcome with respect and deep satisfaction, because it restores centrality to the voice of the injured party, her pain, her dignity, and the courage with which she faced the trial.”
He continued: “In cases like this, there are no complete victories; the suffering of the victim remains, but today the State has given a clear response.”
Pellegrino said the victim’s legal team would wait for the court’s written reasons “for any further evaluation” and would continue to follow the case “with rigor, attention, and determination.”
The bombshell conviction comes after reports revealed Pizzolato was already standing trial while competing at the Paris Olympics.
The weightlifting star still claimed bronze in the men’s 89kg event despite the criminal proceedings hanging over him.
The prosecution alleged the tourist had been in “a state of stupor and mental inhibition such as to prevent her from energetically resisting the acts of violence”.
Police investigators said the woman’s account was supported by witness statements and hospital examinations carried out after she reported the alleged attack.
Pizzolato had already courted controversy before the rape case.
In 2018, he was suspended for 10 months by the Italian Weightlifting Federation after admitting bullying and threatening behaviour towards teammates, most of whom were minors.
His Paris Olympic bronze also sparked controversy after officials reviewed his final lift over claims he had bent his arm during the attempt.
