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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Angela Giuffrida in Rome

‘Vulgar racism’: outrage after mural of Italian volleyball star is vandalised

The mural of Paola Egonu, left, before it was defaced, and right after the athlete’s skin on the artwork was spray-painted pink and the words ‘stop racism’ on the ball erased
The mural by the street artist Laika was vandalised within a day after it was unveiled near the HQ of the Italian Olympic committee. Composite: Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse/Rex/Shutterstock/Angelo Carconi/EPA

A mural celebrating the Italian Olympic volleyball champion Paola Egonu has become the target of “vulgar racism” after the athlete’s skin in the image was spray-painted pink.

The mural by the street artist Laika was defaced within a day of being unveiled on a wall close to the headquarters of the Italian Olympic committee (Coni) in Rome.

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