Raniero Nicolai studied classical literature, but became a war invalid in World War I. He made himself prominent at an early stage of his life as a writer, poet and avid sports fan. He was only 27 years of age when he won the gold medal at the 1920 Olympics. His eleven Canzone olimpioniche (Olympic songs) were actually published in the book Elogio della vita (Praise of Life) in 1920. In a second issue in 1923, he added a “confession” that he experienced a sense of pressure by this early glory. His literary writings and journalistic article now became limited to a sports theme. His manuscript History of the Modern Olympic Games from 1938 was the first on this subject in Italian. From 1933-39 Nicolai was chairman of the Press Office of the Italian NOC, later the Office of Propaganda and Press. He suggested to Mussolini – without success - to honor all Italian gold medal winners with a bronze statue. He was also a zealous advocate for the 1960 Games in Rome. His literary works including Sport and diporto (1928) and Ispirazione ed Arti plastche (1947) later fell into oblivion.
Italy