Franco Fava

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameFrancesco "Franco"•Fava
Used nameFranco•Fava
Born3 September 1952 in Roccasecca, Frosinone (ITA)
Measurements172 cm / 56 kg
AffiliationsPol Atl. Cassino/Fiamme Gialle
NOC Italy

Biography

The athletics career of Franco Fava was launched by coach Pietro De Feo in his hometown. After moving to the Fiamme Gialle club, he was then coached by Vincenzo Leone, and Fava became a versatile middle-to-long distance runner, including in the 3,000 m steeplechase, where he finished fourth at 1974 Roma European Championships. He also won four consecutive Italian titles (1972-75) and lowered the national record from 8:33.4 to 8:18.85.

At the 1976 Montréal Olympics, Fava was eighth in the Marathon (2-14:24.6) and, the following year, was fourth in the World Cross-Country Championships, the best-ever finish by an Italian to that time. He also won both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the 1975 Summer Universiade in Roma, and at the longer distance, cut the Italian national record from 28:16.4 to 27:42.7 between 1975-77. He also broke the Italian 20 km track record and in the Marathon had a best time of 2-12:54. Between 1972-79 Fava won 29 international caps.

After the retirement at the age of 38, Fava became a journalist for the well-known Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, and between 1989-91 was the press office manager for the IAAF.

Personal Bests: 10000 – 27:42.65 (1977); Mar – 2-12:54 (1976); 3000S – 8:18.85 (1974).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1972 Summer Olympics Athletics ITA Franco Fava
3,000 metres Steeplechase, Men (Olympic) 5 h4 r1/2
1976 Summer Olympics Athletics ITA Franco Fava
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 5 h2 r1/2
Marathon, Men (Olympic) 8

Special Notes