Pietro-Mennea-Obituary

Pietro Mennea

Obituary

ROME (AP) — Former Italian sprinter Pietro Mennea, who held the world record in the 200 meters for nearly 17 years, has died. He was 60.

The Italian Olympic Committee made the announcement, saying Mennea died in a Rome clinic Thursday. No cause of death was given.

Mennea won gold in the 200 and bronze in the 4x400 relay at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, plus a bronze in the 200 at the 1972 Munich Games.

Mennea set the record of 19.72 seconds on Sept. 12, 1979, in Mexico City. The mark lasted until Michael Johnson ran 19.66 on June 23, 1996, at the U.S. Olympic trials.

Usain Bolt holds the current 200 record of 19.19.

CONI president Giovanni Malago announced that Mennea's body would lie in state at Olympic committee headquarters.


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My hero, Pietro. I was a good sprinter, but not a GREAT sprinter like Pietro. He was my inspiration all through my sprinting career. I pray for his kind soul, now at peace in Heaven.

so sorry for your loss,please accept my condolence.May God Almighty bless the family,and may you draw strength from his word the Bible....~m~

My condolences, to the family for their loss. May the God of peace give You peace at this time. John 14:27

May the God of all comfort and peace be with Pietro family.Acts24:15.

What a gift to have the stamina Pietro had as a sprinter! He used his gift to the full. Now that he has gone to rest those he left behind can take comfort in the words at 1 Timothy 4:8 and the promise of life in a better world.

Through christ loving sacrifice we have the priviledge to live again on a paradise earth :)

Pleasure to watch this Great spinter run!