Gymnastics-Italy investigates pressures put on young women gymnasts

MILAN (Reuters) - Italy's sports authorities are studying reports of undue psychological pressure being placed on its young women gymnasts over their eating habits, after a complaint was lodged with a prosecutor.

"Medals are a matter of national pride but no medal can make up for inappropriate behaviour," Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said on Wednesday, Italian news agency Ansa reported. Abodi was addressing growing concerns about the way that athletes, many of them teenagers, are treated by coaches.