10 Facts About Gelindo Bordin

Gelindo Bordin was born on 2 April 1959 and is an Italian former Long Distance Runner, winner of the marathon race at the 1988 Summer Olympics.

Gelindo Bordin is the first Italian to have won an Olympic gold in the marathon and the only male to win both the Boston Marathon and the Olympic gold medal in this event.

Gelindo Bordin wisely held back from the leaders in the early stages.

At the Olympic marathon in Seoul, Gelindo Bordin stayed with the leaders from the start.

At this late stage of the race the move seemed a decisive one, leading most viewers and sport commentators to reasonably conclude that the gold and silver medals were to be decided between Wakihuri and Salah, with Gelindo Bordin hopefully holding on to his bronze medal position.

Gelindo Bordin successfully defended his European marathon title in 1990, becoming the first man to win the title twice, but at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, he finished in a disappointing eighth place.

Gelindo Bordin attempted to defend his Olympic title at 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, but he strained a groin muscle jumping over a fallen runner just after the halfway mark, and failed to finish.

Shortly after the 1992 Summer Olympics Gelindo Bordin decided to retire.

Gelindo Bordin is the only male to win both the Boston Marathon and an Olympic gold medal in the marathon.

Gelindo Bordin won the Boston Marathon in 1990 and describes the victory as his "second greatest run, after winning the Olympics".