# Stefano Baldini

Stefano Baldini (born 25 May 1971 in Castelnovo di Sotto, Emilia-Romagna, Italy) is a retired Italian runner who specialized in the marathon. He was the Olympic champion in Athens in 2004 and was twice European champion (1998 and 2006).

## Biography

Baldini was also a world champion in the half marathon, taking the title in Palma de Mallorca in 1996. In the 2004 Summer Olympics, Baldini finished first in the men's marathon, winning a gold medal. He finished ahead of Brazilian Vanderlei de Lima, who was leading the marathon until being pushed off the course by protester Neil Horan.
After a disappointing 2007 season in which he did not complete the London Marathon, Baldini chose to run the New York City Marathon, finishing 4th. Baldini closed his Olympic career at the 2008 Summer Olympics, finishing 12th.
Baldini ended his career in October 2010, having originally planned a final race at the Giro al Sas but deciding against the race because of injury.

## Achievements

| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
| Representing Italy ||||||
| 1990 | World Junior Championships | Plovdiv, Bulgaria | 6th | 5000m | 13:54.38 |
| 1994 | European Championships | Helsinki, Finland | 20th | 10,000m | 28:41.82 |
| 1996 | World Half Marathon Championships | Palma de Mallorca, Spain | 1st | Half marathon | 1:01:17 |
| 1997 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 2nd | Marathon | 2:07:57 |
| 1997 | New York City Marathon | New York City, United States | 3rd | Marathon | 2:09:31 |
| 1998 | Rome Marathon | Rome, Italy | 1st | Marathon | 2:09:33 |
| 1998 | European Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 1st | Marathon | 2:12:01 |
| 2000 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 6th | Marathon | 2:09:45 |
| 2001 | Turin Marathon | Turin, Italy | 2nd | Marathon | 2:08:51 |
| 2001 | World Championships | Edmonton, Canada | 3rd | Marathon | 2:13:18 |
| 2001 | Madrid Millenium Marathon | Madrid, Spain | 1st | Marathon | 2:09:59 |
| 2002 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 6th | Marathon | 2:07:29 |
| 2002 | New York City Marathon | New York City, United States | 5th | Marathon | 2:09:12 |
| 2003 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 2nd | Marathon | 2:07:56 |
| 2003 | World Championships | Paris, France | 3rd | Marathon | 2:09:14 |
| 2004 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 4th | Marathon | 2:08:37 |
| 2004 | Olympic Games | Athens, Greece | 1st | Marathon | 2:10:55 |
| 2005 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 5th | Marathon | 2:09:25 |
| 2006 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 5th | Marathon | 2:07:22 |
| 2006 | European Championships | Gothenburg, Sweden | 1st | Marathon | 2:11:32 |
| 2006 | New York City Marathon | New York City, United States | 6th | Marathon | 2:11:33 |
| 2007 | New York City Marathon | New York City, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:11:58 |
| 2008 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 12th | Marathon | 2:13:06 |
| 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China | 12th | Marathon | 2:13:25 |

## National titles

He won 13 national championships.
* Italian Athletics Championships
** 10,000 metres: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2002 (6)
** 10 km road: 2010
** Half marathon: 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2009 (6)