Savino Guglielmetti

Although two-fold Olympic champion Savino Guglielmetti died at the old age of 94, the fact that he even survived his childhood years may be considered remarkable. The young Guglielmetti first survived being run over by a taxi without any injuries, later to be followed by a fall from a four-story building. He survived this fall by clinging on to electrical cables hanging outside.

Originally starting out as a pole vaulter, Guglielmetti also started practicing gymnastics. In 1927, he joined the Milanese club Pro Patria 1883, where he was coached by Mario Corrias. He became a member of the national team in 1930, and was sent to the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Italian gymnastics team arrived in Los Angeles after a 17-day journey. During the last five days, the team traveled by train. At each stop, the coach ordered his gymnasts to run a lap around the train, to keep in shape. This proved to be effective, as the Italians won the team event, and three individual medals. Romeo Neri won the individual all-around, and the parallel bars, while Guglielmetti secured first place in the horse vault event. In addition, he placed 5th in the all-around. The 1932 Games were also successful for his club, which was represented by Luigi Beccali (gold in the 1,500 m) and Ugo Frigerio (bronze in the 50 km. race walking)

Guglielmetti won the Italian all-around title for the first time in 1934, and repeated this feat in 1935, 1937, 1938 and 1939. As the best gymnast of his country, he again represented Italy at the 1936 Olympics, but he could not take his teammates to a medal, and finished 5th in the team competition, 12th in the individual all-around. After the war, Guglielmetti achieved another 5th place with his team at the London Olympics.

After his active career, Guglielmetti remained involved in the Italian gymnastics federation and his club Pro Patria. In 1998, Savino Guglielmetti was inducted in the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, and in 2000 he was awarded the Olympic Order in Silver. Barely a month before his passing, he donated the uniform he wore in 1932 to the Olympic Museum.