30. November 2009  
Italy  
Artistic Gymnastics

Vanessa Ferrari joins the army

Vanessa Ferrari ... in the Army, now!

2006 World all-around champion Vanessa FERRARI has joined the Italian army, the Italian Gymnastics Federation reported.
Ferrari, who turned 19 on November 10, has been absent from competition since having surgery in June to help ease problems with her right achilles tendon.
After a disappointing 2008 Olympic Games, where she was out of shape due to injuries, Ferrari won silver on floor at the 2009 European Championships in Milan, a medal she dedicated to the army. Right before having surgery to drain fluid from her Achilles, Ferrari won the 2009 Italian National Championship. She dedicated that victory to her tendon.
The Italian Gymnastics Federation's article indicates that Ferrari had intended to inscribe earlier, but injuries postponed the day of enrollment.
What Ferrari's official duties will be, or how she'll balance training with being in the army, has not been made public.
* source: ITA Fed.