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.
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.Sampaolo, Diego (11 October 2010). Baldini, Italian Marathon legend, retires – A look back. IAAF. Retrieved on 16 October 2010.
Achievements Representing 1990World Junior ChampionshipsPlovdiv, Bulgaria6th5000m13:54.381994European ChampionshipsHelsinki, Finland20th10,000m28:41.821996World Half Marathon Championships Palma de Mallorca, Spain1stHalf marathon1:01:171997London MarathonLondon, United Kingdom2ndMarathon2:07:57New York City MarathonNew York City, United States3rdMarathon2:09:311998Rome MarathonRome, Italy1stMarathon2:09:33European Championships Budapest, Hungary1stMarathon2:12:012000London MarathonLondon, United Kingdom6thMarathon2:09:452001Turin MarathonTurin, Italy2ndMarathon2:08:51World Championships Edmonton, Canada3rdMarathon2:13:18Madrid Millenium MarathonMadrid, Spain1stMarathon2:09:592002London MarathonLondon, United Kingdom6thMarathon2:07:29New York City MarathonNew York City, United States5thMarathon2:09:122003London MarathonLondon, United Kingdom2ndMarathon2:07:56World Championships Paris, France3rdMarathon2:09:142004London MarathonLondon, United Kingdom4thMarathon2:08:37Olympic Games Athens, Greece1stMarathon2:10:552005London MarathonLondon, United Kingdom5thMarathon2:09:252006London MarathonLondon, United Kingdom5thMarathon2:07:22European Championships Gothenburg, Sweden1stMarathon2:11:32New York City MarathonNew York City, United States6thMarathon2:11:332007New York City MarathonNew York City, United States4thMarathon2:11:582008London MarathonLondon, United Kingdom12thMarathon2:13:06Olympic GamesBeijing, China12thMarathon2:13:25
National titles He won 13 national championships. 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
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