Donato Sabia

Donatio Sabia achieved national notice in 1979-81 in youth and junior competition in the 400 metres. He first competed for Italy in 1982. His big break-out year was 1984 when he won the European indoor title in Göteborg and set a world’s best mark in the rarely run 500 metres, recording 1:00.08 in Busto Arsizio on 26 May, a record that stood for 28 years. Finally, on 13 June 1984, he got close to the Italian and former world record of Marcello Fiasconaro, with 1:43.88.

At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Sabia reached the final, placing fifth. Injuries in the next few years held him back, but he returned in 1988 for the Seoul Olympics, placing seventh in the final in 1:48.03. Sabia won six Italian titles in the 400 and 800 and earned 17 international caps from 1982-88.

Personal Bests: 400 – 45.73 (1984); 800 – 1:43.88 (1984).