ROME — Two Italian swimmers returning home from the world championships in Singapore were stopped and briefly detained by airport authorities on the Asian island for shoplifting .

Benedetta Pilato, who won a bronze medal in the 50-meter breaststroke, and Chiara Tarantino were released after the Italian embassy intervened on their behalf, the Italian swimming federation said on Friday.

“While condemning the incident, the Italian swimming federation reserves the right to carefully evaluate the matter,” the federation said in a statement. 4

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Tarantino put items that she stole inside Pilato’s suitcase, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported.

The incident occurred long after the worlds ended on Aug. 3, as the swimmers returned from vacation in Bali.

“On days that should have been mainl

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