Luigina Giavotti

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameLuigia "Luigina"•Giavotti
Used nameLuigina•Giavotti
Nick/petnamesPopolo
Born12 October 1916 in Pavia, Pavia (ITA)
Died4 August 1976 in Pavia, Pavia (ITA)
AffiliationsSocietà Ginnastica Pavese, Pavia (ITA)
NOC Italy
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Luigina Giavotti was a member of the very young Italian team that won a silver medal in the gymnastics team event at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. She and her teammates were trained locally in their native city of Pavia by the physical education professor Gino Grevi, who enthusiastically accepted the idea of forming a gymnastic team, despite few resources, and recruited the best students of the city’s schools.

Luigina Giavotti was the youngest of the group of 12 at only 11 years, 300 days old – through 2020, she remains the youngest known female Olympian. The group, called Piccole Ginnaste Pavesi, was on their first trip abroad and the silver medal was an exceptional result. They were congratulated by the Dutch Queen and the town Pavia greeted them joyfully on their return. In Roma they were received personally by Benito Mussolini.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Summer Olympics Artistic Gymnastics (Gymnastics) ITA Luigina Giavotti
Team All-Around, Women (Olympic) Italy 2 Silver