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Coach Enrico Casella told IG that the extent of two-time Italian Olympian Vanessa Ferrari's foot injury should be confirmed this week.

Ferrari on beam at the World Cup in France

"It seems only a big trauma to the left foot,” Casella said. “There is now an extensive hematoma, and we will see in the next few days what the real situation is."

The 22-year-old Ferrari injured her foot while competing on balance beam at the sixth City of Jesolo Trophy in Italy this past weekend. X-rays reveal no fracture to the bone, the Italian Gymnastics Federation said.

Ferrari, the 2006 world all-around champion, placed seventh all-around and fourth on floor exercise at last summer's Olympic Games in London. Earlier this month, she placed second on balance beam at the World Cup in France.

International Gymnast Magazine Related Features:
"Refueling Ferrari" – Ferrari/coach Enrico Casella interview; "Change for the Better" – Brixia Gymnastics feature (January/February 2009)
Ferrari on cover, 2007 European Championships coverage, "10 Questions with Enrico Casella" (June 2007)
2006 World Championships special issue (December 2006)
Ferrari on cover photo collage (November 2006)
Ferrari on cover, 2006 Worlds preview (September 2006)
Italian team on cover, 2006 Europeans coverage (June 2006)
"Driving Force" - Ferrari profile (December 2005)

To subscribe or order back issues, click here.

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Still healing from recent surgery, 2012 Olympic gold and silver medalist McKayla Maroney of the U.S. told IG she is making slow but steady progress in her recently return to training.

McKayla Maroney (U.S.)

"I'm technically allowed to do everything I think feels right,” said Maroney, who competed at last summer's London Games with a broken toe and then fractured her tibia landing a dismount from uneven bars on tour last fall. "I've surpassed conditioning and stretching.”

The 17-year-old Maroney said she is pacing her recovery after she recently resumed training at All Olympia Gymnastics Center in Los Angeles.

"I've been doing basics on floor,” she said. "I've done a Yurchenko on vault – woohoo (laughs). I can do a lot of bars because bars doesn't hurt at all. Beam is a little harder because of my toe and my leg, which are still getting stronger. I can do back handsprings on the high beam, so it's basic stuff. It's one step at a time for sure, but it feels so good to be back in the gym. It's awesome.”

Maroney, the 2011 world vault champion, said she felt nostalgic but motivated when she went back to All Olympia in February.

"I just started crying, because it felt like home,” said Maroney, who is coached by Artur Akopyan and Galina Marinova. "It was a weird feeling, because I hadn't been there for six months straight. The thing with me is that I get right back into the gym if I'm hurt. I'll go and push it and break something else (laughs). So I had to take myself away from the gym for six months, just so I wouldn't hurt myself more and so I could let myself rest."

Since the Olympics, Maroney has enjoyed a visit to the White House, a role in the television show "Hart of Dixie” and several public appearances, as well as her already legendary, oft-imitated "Not Impressed” smirk. She said she remains as motivated as ever for future gymnastics competition.

"Now I feel like a stronger person inside and out, and I'm really ready for this next year,” Maroney told IG. "I'm really excited, and I'm not ‘done.' Gymnastics is the love of my life right now.”

McKayla Maroney is featured in the following issues of International Gymnast magazine:
January/February 2013 – "Maroney on the Mend” (in-depth Maroney interview)
September 2012 - Olympic Games special issue, features Maroney
December 2011 - World Championships special issue, features Maroney
May 2011 - "It's Showtime” (Maroney profile)
September 2010 - Maroney on cover photo collage

To order back issues of International Gymnast magazine, click here.