Stefano Baldini
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox sportsperson Stefano Baldini (born 25 May 1971 in Castelnovo di Sotto, Emilia-Romagna, Italy) is a retired Italian runner who specialized in the marathon. He was the Olympic champion in Athens in 2004 and was twice European champion (1998 and 2006).
Biography
Baldini was also a world champion in the half marathon, taking the title in Palma de Mallorca in 1996. In the 2004 Summer Olympics, Baldini finished first in the men's marathon, winning a gold medal. He finished ahead of Brazilian Vanderlei de Lima, who was leading the marathon until being pushed off the course by protester Neil Horan.
After a disappointing 2007 season in which he did not complete the London Marathon, Baldini chose to run the New York City Marathon, finishing 4th. Baldini closed his Olympic career at the 2008 Summer Olympics, finishing 12th.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Baldini ended his career in October 2010, having originally planned a final race at the Giro al Sas but deciding against the race because of injury.<ref>Sampaolo, Diego (11 October 2010). Baldini, Italian Marathon legend, retires – A look back. IAAF. Retrieved on 16 October 2010.</ref>
Achievements
| Representing Template:ITA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | World Junior Championships | Plovdiv, Bulgaria | 6th | 5000m | 13:54.38 |
| 1994 | European Championships | Helsinki, Finland | 20th | 10,000m | 28:41.82 |
| 1996 | World Half Marathon Championships | Palma de Mallorca, Spain | 1st | Half marathon | 1:01:17 |
| 1997 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 2nd | Marathon | 2:07:57 |
| New York City Marathon | New York City, United States | 3rd | Marathon | 2:09:31 | |
| 1998 | Rome Marathon | Rome, Italy | 1st | Marathon | 2:09:33 |
| European Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 1st | Marathon | 2:12:01 | |
| 2000 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 6th | Marathon | 2:09:45 |
| 2001 | Turin Marathon | Turin, Italy | 2nd | Marathon | 2:08:51 |
| World Championships | Edmonton, Canada | 3rd | Marathon | 2:13:18 | |
| Madrid Millenium Marathon | Madrid, Spain | 1st | Marathon | 2:09:59 | |
| 2002 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 6th | Marathon | 2:07:29 |
| New York City Marathon | New York City, United States | 5th | Marathon | 2:09:12 | |
| 2003 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 2nd | Marathon | 2:07:56 |
| World Championships | Paris, France | 3rd | Marathon | 2:09:14 | |
| 2004 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 4th | Marathon | 2:08:37 |
| Olympic Games | Athens, Greece | 1st | Marathon | 2:10:55 | |
| 2005 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 5th | Marathon | 2:09:25 |
| 2006 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 5th | Marathon | 2:07:22 |
| European Championships | Gothenburg, Sweden | 1st | Marathon | 2:11:32 | |
| New York City Marathon | New York City, United States | 6th | Marathon | 2:11:33 | |
| 2007 | New York City Marathon | New York City, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:11:58 |
| 2008 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 12th | Marathon | 2:13:06 |
| Olympic Games | Beijing, China | 12th | Marathon | 2:13:25 | |
National titles
He won 13 national championships.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Italian Athletics Championships
- 10,000 metres: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2002 (6)
- 10 km road: 2010
- Half marathon: 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2009 (6)
See also
- FIDAL Hall of Fame
- Italian all-time lists - 10000 metres
- Italian all-time lists - half marathon
- Italian all-time lists - Marathon
References
External links
- 1971 births
- Living people
- Sportspeople from the Province of Reggio Emilia
- Athletes from Emilia-Romagna
- Italian men long-distance runners
- Italian men marathon runners
- Olympic athletes for Italy
- Olympic gold medalists for Italy
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1996 Summer Olympics
- Athletes (track and field) at the 2000 Summer Olympics
- Athletes (track and field) at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Athletes (track and field) at the 2008 Summer Olympics
- Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- World Athletics Championships medalists
- World Athletics Championships athletes for Italy
- World Athletics Half Marathon Championships winners
- European Athletics Championships medalists
- European athletics champions for Italy
- Olympic gold medalists in athletics
- Recipients of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races Best Marathon Runner Award
- Italian Athletics Championships winners
- 20th-century Italian sportsmen