Giulio Chiesa

Giulio Chiesa was the top Italian pole vaulter of the 1950s. He competed for Italy in 19 internationals from 1950-60, including the 1956 Olympics, finishing ninth, and the 1954 European Championships, in which he failed to make the final. His biggest international victory was winning the 1955 Mediterranean Games. Chiesa was three times Italian champion (1951, 1953, 1959), and set five Italian records in the pole vault – 4.20 in 1951, 4.28 and 4.30 in 1955, and 4.31 and 4.35 in 1956. Chiesa represented Fiamme Gialle, the sports club of the Italian economical police, Guardia di Finanza. After his athletic career, Chiesa rose to the rank of general within the force.

Personal Best: PV – 4.35 (1956).