Entertainment · Celebrity · 3 hrs ago
Aldo Montano says Federica Pellegrini took his 2012 comment personally
Aldo Montano revisited his strained relationship with Federica Pellegrini during an appearance on Italian TV show Verissimo.
The disagreement dates to the 2012 London Olympics, when Montano described the swimmer as unfriendly because he felt she did not greet other Italian athletes.
He now says he thought Pellegrini was perhaps shy, and that he did not intend to start a controversy.
Pellegrini recently said on a podcast that Montano and other athletes had disappointed her by speaking about her behind her back.
Montano said he was sorry she took the remark personally and added that life goes on.
The exchange brings an old disagreement back into public view, but Montano said he did not want to fuel the dispute further.
Aldo Montano said Federica Pellegrini took personally his 2012 comment that she was unfriendly.
Montano said he had noticed Pellegrini did not greet other Italian athletes at the London Olympic village and may have been shy.
He said he did not intend to cause controversy and added that he was sorry she had held on to the remark.
Pellegrini recently said in a podcast that Montano and other athletes had disappointed her.
The exchange resurfaced during Montano’s interview on the television programme Verissimo.
- Who
- Aldo Montano and Federica Pellegrini, former Italian Olympic athletes.
- What
- Montano said Pellegrini took his 2012 criticism personally and said he was sorry.
- When
- Montano discussed it on Verissimo, reported on 24 October 2026; the original comment was made in 2012.
- Where
- On the Italian television programme Verissimo; the original incident was at the London Olympic village.
- Why
- Montano said he had observed Pellegrini not greeting other athletes. He said she may have been shy and that he did not intend to start a controversy.
Federica Pellegrini
Aldo Montano
What happened
Federica Pellegrini
Pellegrini said she felt judged behind her back by colleagues and wished they had raised problems directly with her.
Aldo Montano
Montano said he had described her as unfriendly because she did not greet others, perhaps because she was shy.
Reaction
Federica Pellegrini
Pellegrini said Montano and other athletes had disappointed her.
Aldo Montano
Montano said he was sorry she had taken the comment personally and wanted to move on.
At the London Olympics, Montano called Pellegrini unfriendly, saying she did not greet other Italian athletes.
Pellegrini said in a podcast that Montano and other athletes had disappointed her.
Montano discussed the old dispute during an interview on Verissimo.
- Original comment
- 2012 London Olympics
- Interview programme
- Verissimo
- Montano's sport
- Fencing
- Pellegrini's sport
- Swimming
- Podcast
- Giulia Salemi's podcast
- Published report
- 24 October 2026
3 sources
Federica Pellegrini sott’attacco, la stoccata di Montano: “Se l’è legata al dito”. Nel mirino anche l’Academy con il marito
Aldo Montano: «Federica Pellegrini antipatica? Se l'è legata al dito e mi dispiace. Lei era timida e non salutava»
Verissimo: Aldo Montano: "Il mio rapporto complicato con Federica Pellegrini" Video
What people are saying
I did not want to cause controversy. When asked who was the most and least friendly, I said Federica.
She was a shy girl and I said she did not greet people in the Olympic village, she would walk straight past.
If she took it personally, I’m sorry, life goes on, peace.
I thought: I was there ten metres from you, tell me to my face if you have a problem.