Mario Checcacci was a member of the famous crew nicknamed “Scarronzoni” that competed during the 1930s and 40s. They were all Livorno dockworkers. Checcacci rowed the eight at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where Italy narrowly missed winning gold. He also helped win the 1937 European Championships and added a bronze medal in the eight at the 1938 Europeans. Checcacci was Italian Champion in the eight in 1935-36 and 1939-40. His face with his white bandana remained famous as he was featured in Leni Riefenstahl’s Official Film on the Berlin Games and in the book Schönheit im Olympischen Kampf, published in 1937.
Italy