Silvana Cruciata

In her long career, Silvana Cruciata was coached by Carmine Canale and began as a cross-country runner. The brightest moment of her athletics career was her 3rd place in the 3,000 metres at the 1981 Roma World Cup. She took also three medals at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships and three track Italian titles in the 3,000 metres in 1975, 1978, and 1981.

Cruciata represented Italy in the 1,500 metres at the 1974 European Championships, but was eliminated in the heats, and had the same result two years later in her only Olympic appearance. She boasts personal bests in events from the 800 m. (2:02.37) to the marathon (2-44:31). Her best of 18.084 kilometres for the one-hour run was a world record for almost 20 years, and it remains, as of 2019, the European record. From 1974-1981 she earned 19 international caps.

Personal Best: 1500 – 4:03.88 (1981).