Carlo Galimberti

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexMale
Full nameCarlo Pietro•Galimberti
Used nameCarlo•Galimberti
Born2 July 1894 in Rosario, Santa Fe (ARG)
Died10 August 1939 in Milano, Milano (ITA)
Measurements167 cm / 74, 75 kg
AffiliationsG.S. "C. Galimberti" Vigili del Fuoco, Milano (ITA)
NOC Italy
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 2
Bronze 0
Total 3

Biography

Carlo Galimberti grew up as the son of Italian immigrants in Rosario de Santa Fe, Argentina. In his youth, he tried various sports, especially football, but then focused on weightlifting. After World War I, the family returned to Italy. In 1928, he was the Italian flag-bearer at the Opening Ceremony and he won three Olympic medals – gold in 1924 and silvers in 1928 and 1932. Galimberti set five middleweight world records from 1924-28 – one in the press, one in the clean & jerk, and three in the total. He was runner-up at the 1930 and 1931 European Championships. From 1921-39 he also won 18 consecutive national titles, 13 as a middleweight and 5 as a light-heavy. Galimberti was a professional firefighter and died in 1939 following burns he suffered during the explosion of a boiler.

On 19 April 1940 the director of the fire services, Alberto Giombini, posthumously awarded Galimberti the rank of Marshal. Throughout his career Galimberti competed for G.S. Pompieri of Milano, (the National Sports Group of the Fire Brigade) and was a member of their team that won the first National Championship for Clubs in 1934. In 1942 the Italian Weightlifting Federation named the Propaganda Trophy in his honour, and in 2005 the same federation named the hundredth national championship in his honour. In 1954 the city of Bollate named a street after him, and on the plaque it is inscribed: “Via Carlo Galimberti / Olimpionico / ​Medaglia d’argento al valor civile”. (Carlo Galimberti Street / Olympian / Civil valour silver medallist). It was a just reward for a man who honoured Italian sport and was an example of high civic virtues.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1924 Summer Olympics Weightlifting ITA Carlo Galimberti
Middleweight, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
1928 Summer Olympics Weightlifting ITA Carlo Galimberti
Middleweight, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
1932 Summer Olympics Weightlifting ITA Carlo Galimberti
Middleweight, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
1936 Summer Olympics Weightlifting ITA Carlo Galimberti
Middleweight, Men (Olympic) 7

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1928 Summer Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony ITA Carlo Galimberti

Special Notes