Paola Pigni

Paola Pigni (30 December 1945 – 11 June 2021) was an Italian middle- and long-distance runner.[1] She was a three-time world champion in cross country and held the world record over five distance running events on the track, from 1500m to 10,000m.[2]

Paola Pigni
Paola Pigni in 1966
Personal information
NationalityItalian
Born(1945-12-30)30 December 1945
Milan, Kingdom of Italy
Died11 June 2021(2021-06-11) (aged 75)
Rome, Italy
Height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Weight55 kg (121 lb)
Sport
CountryItaly Italy
SportAthletics
Event(s)Middle distance running
ClubSnia Milano
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)
  • 800 m: 2:01.95 (1975)
  • 1500 m: 4:02.85 (1972)
Medal record
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Olympic Games 0 0 1
European Championships 0 0 1
World Cross Country Championships 2 1 0
Universiade 1 0 0
Mediterranean Games 2 1 0
Total 5 2 2
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1972 Munich1500 m
European Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1969 Athens1500 m
International Cross Country C'ships
Gold medal – first place1970 VichyIndividual
World Cross Country Championships
Gold medal – first place1973 WaregemIndividual
Gold medal – first place1974 MonzaIndividual
Universiade
Gold medal – first place 1973 Moscow1500 m
Mediterranean Games
Gold medal – first place 1975 Algiers800 m
Gold medal – first place 1975 Algiers1500 m
Silver medal – second place 1971 Izmir1500 m

Biography

Pigni competed for her native country at the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, West Germany, where she won the bronze medal in the women's 1500 m.[3]

She was the winner of the France version of the 1970 International Cross Country Championships. She followed this up by winning the first two women's titles at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 1973 and 1974.[4]

World records

In an era when the popularity of female middle distance running was increasing, Pigni established six world records (those recognized are signed with an asterisk).[5][6]

  • 5000 m: 16:17.4 (Italy Formia, 1 May 1969)
  • 5000 m: 15:53.6 (Italy Milan, 2 September 1969)
  • 1500 m: 4:12.4 (Italy Milan, 2 December 1969)*
  • 10000 m: 35:30.5 (Italy Milan, 9 May 1970)
  • 3000 m: 9:09.2 (Italy Formia, 11 May 1972)
  • Mile: 4:29.5 (Italy Viareggio, 8 August 1973)*

Achievements
YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventTimeNotes
1969 European Championships Greece Athens 3rd 1500 m 4:12:00 NR
1970 International Cross Country Championships France Vichy 1st 3 km 10:38.4
1972 Olympic Games West Germany Munich 3rd 1500 m 4:02:85 [7]
1973 World Cross Country Championships Belgium Waregem 1st 3.99 km 13:45.2
1974 World Cross Country Championships Italy Monza 1st 4 km 12:42

National titles

She won 19 national championships at senior level.[8]

See also

References
  1. "The Italian middle-distance runner Paola Pigni at the Olympic Games". agefotostock.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  2. "PODIO INTERNAZIONALE DAL 1908 AL 2008 UOMINI" (PDF). sportolimpico.it. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  3. "Paola Pigni". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  4. International Cross Country Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 3 April 2015.
  5. "Paola Pigni (née Cacchi)". trackfield.brinkster.net. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  6. "Progression - Track and Field Statistics". trackfield.brinkster.net. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  7. "OLYMPIC GAMES MEDALLISTS - ATHLETICS (WOMEN)". gbrathletics.com. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  8. "CAMPIONATI "ASSOLUTI" – DONNE TUTTE LE CAMPIONESSE – 1923-2016" (PDF). sportolimpico.it. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
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