Amongst the most famous Italian athletes, there's the sprinter Pietro Mennea (1952-2013) who held the 200 metres world record (19:72) for 17 years from 1979 to 1996 and is still holder of the European record.
Amongst the most celebrated Italian athletes is Pietro Mennea, a sprinter who held the 200-meter world record (19:72) for 17 years from 1979 to 1996 and still holds the European record.