Marco Albarello started competing as a downhill skier, but later switched to Nordic racing. His first top World Cup finish was in March 1984 in the 15 km with a 17th place, while his first podium came in December 1990 in the 15 km classical with a runner-up, while his only victory came in January 1993 in the 15 km classical. His best overall World Cup finish was fifth in 1993. He had five World Cup podiums, three individual, and two in relays. Albarello participated in four Olympic Winter Games between 1988-98, winning five Olympic medals, one gold, three silvers and one bronze. His gold came in the 1994 relay at Lillehammer when Italy narrowly defeated favored Norway at the Birkebeiner Stadium, considered the greatest cross-country race in Olympic history. He also competed in seven World Championships, winning four medals – gold in the 1987 15 km, silvers in the 1985 and 1993 relays, and a relay bronze in 1993. Albarello also won 10 Italian titles over 10 (four), 15 (two) and 30 km (four), with 21 podiums at the Italian Championships. His powerful physique earned him the nickname “Giant of Courmayeur.” When the free skating technique appeared in the mid-80s, Albarello continued to specialize in classical events.
After 14 years in the World Cup, Albarello retired at the end of the 1997-98 season. He became a sergeant major in the Sport Development Group of the Italian Alpini responsible for the Nordic disciplines. Subsequently he was appointed technical director for the cross-country sector of the Italian national team until 2007. He then returned to the army to become a marshal and technical director of the sports activities of the “Army Sports Center.” Together with his teammates from the 1994 relay team he was one of the torchbearers within the Olympic Stadium at the Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Albarello was appointed Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2000 and “Chevalier de l’Autonomie” in 2008. In 2011, he was heavily criticized for allegedly xenophobic posts on his Facebook page. He was also one of the clients of the notorious Italian EPO researcher Francesco Conconi.
Italy