Giuseppina Leone

Giuseppina Leone was the first Italian female sprinter who was able to rise to a high level in the international arena after World War II. On 21 October 1956, in Bologna, she ran the 100 metres in 11.4 and set a new European record, just 1/10th second off the world record of the Australian Shirley Strickland de la Hunty. In 1960, in addition to running 11.3 twice, she won the bronze medal in the Olympic final in Roma (11.48). She also finished sixth in the 200 metres.

Giusy Leone won the 100 and 200 double at the 1955 and 1959 Summer Universiade. At the European Championships she was fourth in the 100 m in Bern 1954 and earned a bronze in the 4x100 relay, while at Stockholm in 1958 she was fifth in the 100 and 4x100 relay. Leone was also the national record holder at 200 metres with 23.7 set in Belluno on 11 August 1960.

Leone was a member of the Gruppo Sportivo FIAT, coached by Marcello Pagani. In turn she coached the women’s national team in 1970-71. Domestically she won nine consecutive Italian titles in the 100 and 200 and earned 23 international caps.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.4 (1956); 200 – 23.80 (1960).