Italian Gymnast Apologizes for Racial Remark The Italian gymnast Carlotta Ferlito apologized for making a racist comment aimed at an American rival. Vanessa Ferrari and Ferlito finished fourth and fifth on the balance beam Sunday at the world championships in Belgium - just behind the bronze medalist Simone Biles, who is black. Afterward, Ferlito said with a big laugh, "I told Vane that next time we'll have our skin black also so we can win, too." Ferlito said on Twitter: "I'm just a human. I'm so so sorry.