She is a former rhythmic gymnast, who was part of national group from 1982 to 1984, and competed at the 1983 World Championships in Strasbourg, two European Championships (in Stavanger and Vienna) and two World Cups.[3]
In 1987 she began her coaching career, after retiring from the sport. She trained private teams but also became part of the technical staff of the National team as an assistant coach. Later, she became the head coach of the junior team, winning two bronze medals at the 1996 European Championships in Oslo.
Since 1996, she has been the head coach of the Italian rhythmic gymnastics national team and made her debut at the 1998 World Championships in Seville. The first medals came at the European Championships in Riesa (two bronze medals) and since then the national group has won many medals including the Olympic silver in Athens 2004, and three bronze medals - London 2012, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. She is the most decorated Italian coach ever. Some of her notable trainees include Alessia Maurelli, Elisa Blanchi, Elisa Santoni, Marta Pagnini, Martina Centofanti, Agnese Duranti and others.[4]
In 2022, she was accused of abuse by several athletes following an investigation published by the newspaper la Repubblica.[5] After being acquitted in the 2023 sports trial, she was sent to trial again for mistreatment in March 2025. In the same month, after nearly three decades as head coach and technical director, her contract was terminated by the Italian Gymnastics Federation (FGI). The decision was made unanimously by the federal council and marked the end of her long tenure.[6][7]
