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Andrea Benvenuti

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Andrea Benvenuti
Personal information
NationalityItalian
Born (1969-12-13) 13 December 1969 (age 55)
Negrar, Italy
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight72 kg (159 lb)
Sport
CountryItaly Italy
SportAthletics
Event800 metres
ClubFiamme Azzurre
Coached byGianni Ghidini
Achievements and titles
Personal bests
  • 800 m: 1:43.92 (1992)
  • 1000 m: 2:15.76 (1992)
Medal record
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1994 Helsinki 800 metres

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

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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

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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

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Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  Italy
1988 World Junior Championships Sudbury, Canada 23rd (sf) 800m 1:57.48
1992 Olympic Games Barcelona, Spain 5th 800 metres 1:45.23
1994 European Championships Helsinki, Finland 1st 800m 1:46.12

National titles

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Andrea Benvenuti". Fidal.it. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  2. ^ "PODIO INTERNAZIONALE DAL 1908 AL 2008 - UOMINI" (PDF). sportolimpico.it. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "1992 IAAF World Cup". Athletics Podium. 25 Sep 1992. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  5. ^ "800 metres men". World Athletics. 14 August 1993. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  6. ^ ""CAMPIONATI "ASSOLUTI" ITALIANI SUL PODIO TRICOLORE – 1906 2012" (PDF). sportolimpico.it. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  7. ^ "ITALIAN INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS". gbrathletics.com. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  8. ^ "Hall of Fame". Fidal.it. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
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