Francesco Panetta

Francesco Panetta was an Italian middle-distance runner. Nicknamed “Diesel,” he ran both track, primarily the steeplechase, and cross-country. He won six Italian cross-country titles and competed at the International Cross-Country Championships in 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1989, placing sixth in 1982.

On the track, Panetta was Italian junior champion in the 2,000 metre steeplechase in 1981 and 1982. He was the top Italian steepler throughout the mid-1980s. In 1986 he took silver in the steeple at the European Championships, while in 1987 he won the European Cup and the World Championships, adding a silver in the 10K at the Worlds.

After 1988, Panetta abandoned the steeplechase for the 10,000, placing sixth at the 1993 World Championships, while winning the 1994 European Cup. At the 1994 European Championships, Panetta stopped to help teammate Azzurri Lambruschini, who had fallen on a barrier, and paced him back to the pack. Lambruschini won the race and European gold, while Panetta ended up off the podium; however, his gesture of altruism remained in the memory of Italian sportsmen even more than his medals. From 1982-96 Panetta earned 34 international caps.

Subsequent attempts to move up to the marathon were disappointing. In addition to the six national cross-country titles, Panetta won Italian titles over 5,000 in 1988, 10,000 in 1986, and the steeplechase in 1985 and 1988.

Personal Bests: 10,000 – 27:24.16 (1989); 3,000S – 8:08.57 (1987).