Andrea Benvenuti
| Personal information | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Italian | ||||||||
| Born | 13 December 1969 Negrar, Italy | ||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||
| Weight | 72 kg (159 lb) | ||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||
| Country | Italy | ||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||
| Event | 800 metres | ||||||||
| Club | Fiamme Azzurre | ||||||||
| Coached by | Gianni Ghidini | ||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||
| Personal bests |
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Medal record
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Andrea Benvenuti (born 13 December 1969 in Negrar, Verona) is an Italian former 800 metres runner. He won the gold medal at the 1994 European Athletics Championships.
Biography
He was born in Negrar di Valpolicella, in the Province of Verona. He became the first Italian man to win a European 800 metres title when he won the gold medal at the 1994 European Championships in Helsinki, Finland ahead of Vebjörn Rodal.[1][2]
Previously, he had finished in fifth place in the final of the 800 metres at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain and was the highest European finisher in the race.[3] Five days after his fifth place at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 he set his personal best of 1:43.92 for the 800 metres racing in Monte Carlo.[1] He also recorded a win at the 1992 Gran Prix d'Atletica in Turin.[3] He placed third in the 1992 IAAF World Cup in Cuba,[4] and represented his country at the 1993 World Championships in Athletics.[5]
He is the Italian record holder of the 1000 metres with the time of 2:15.76. His personal best in 800 metres is 1:43.92. He is a two-time national champion at the Italian Athletics Championships.[6][7] After his retirement, he was entered into the FIDAL Hall of Fame.[8]
After his running career, he took up an administrative role in San Marino, having a responsibility for the athletic trainers for the Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio (FSGC).[3]
Personal life
After his sporting career, Benvenuti worked as a physiotherapist in Italy before moving to work in San Marino. Benvenuti and his wife Elena Vagnini, also a former middle-distance runner, have twin sons Tommaso and Giacomo Benvenuti who are both professional footballers who play for the San Marino national football team. They also have a daughter, Martina.[3]
International competitions
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Representing Italy | |||||
| 1988 | World Junior Championships | Sudbury, Canada | 23rd (sf) | 800 m | 1:57.48 |
| 1992 | Olympic Games | Barcelona, Spain | 5th | 800 metres | 1:45.23 |
| 1994 | European Championships | Helsinki, Finland | 1st | 800 m | 1:46.12 |
National titles
- Italian Athletics Championships
- 800 m outdoor: 1992
- 800 m indoor: 1991
See also
References
- ^ a b "Andrea Benvenuti". Fidal.it. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
- ^ "PODIO INTERNAZIONALE DAL 1908 AL 2008 - UOMINI" (PDF). sportolimpico.it. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Calcio D, Benvenuti a San Marino: due frecce con il dna vincente e ultraresistente". www.corriereromagna.it. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
- ^ "1992 IAAF World Cup". Athletics Podium. 25 Sep 1992. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
- ^ "800 metres men". World Athletics. 14 August 1993. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
- ^ ""CAMPIONATI "ASSOLUTI" ITALIANI SUL PODIO TRICOLORE – 1906 2012" (PDF). sportolimpico.it. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "ITALIAN INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS". gbrathletics.com. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "Hall of Fame". Fidal.it. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
External links
- Andrea Benvenuti at World Athletics
- Andrea Benvenuti at the Italian Athletics Federation (in Italian)
- Andrea Benvenuti at Olympics.com
- Andrea Benvenuti at Olympedia