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Former Olympic Marathon Champion Stefano Baldini to Retire

Posted August 26th, 2008 at 1:25 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics

According to a report published by SPIKES Magazine, 2004 Olympic marathon champion Stefano Baldini has decided to end his decorated career as a word class distance runner.

“He’s retiring from international athletics, that’s certain,” a spokesperson for Baldini told the European-based magazine. “The marathon in Beijing was his last appearance for Italy. However, he’s definitely not stopping running. He’ll still do some races here and there, such as some events in Italy with less stress attached.”

Despite being plagued by an upper thigh injury for much of the year, Baldini was able to finish a respectable 12th at last weekend’s fast-paced Olympic marathon in Beijing.

The humble and widely respected Baldini is a national hero and leaves behind a pristine legacy of success and sportsmanship. In addition to edging out American Meb Keflezighi for the gold medal in Athens, Baldini also set the Italian marathon record (2:07:22), won the 2006 World Half-Marathon title and earned bronze medals in the marathon at the 2003 and 2001 IAAF World Championships.