Alessandro Andrei

With the traditional gliding technique of shot putting losing ground to the rotation style, Alessandro Andrei was criticized by American competitor Dave Laut for using an “outdated” style. But at the 1984 Olympics, Andrei’s old-fashioned technique won him the gold medal, while Laut finished in third. The massive Italian celebrated by eating a large T-bone steak, having dieted for three weeks prior to the Olympic final. Andrei won two more international championship medals, the 1987 World Championship silver, and a bronze at the 1984 European Indoor Championships. His greatest performance after winning the Olympic gold came on 12 August 1987, when he improved the World Record three times, improving it from 22.64 to 22.91. The latter mark still stands as the Italian record as of 2008. Alessandro Andrei is married to Agnese Maffeis, who is also a shot putter, but is better known as a discus thrower.

Personal Best: SP – 22.91 (1987).