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1963-1983
ALL THE BEST IN ATHLETICS COME IN TURIN
June 2nd is an important
date for athletics in Turin: it is the appointment with the
Meeting.
In 1963 begins the adventure for CUS Torino
with a “Preolympic” appointment: Livio Berruti
wins, obviously, 200m and on 110h the young Eddy Ottoz begins
his career.
In 1964 the Meeting becomes “University
Meeting” and it is time for the hurdlers: Cornacchia,
Mazza, Ottoz, and Frinolli. Great show from Rodeghiero (javelin
throw) and D’Encausse (pole vault).
1965: a trilateral meeting between Italy,
France and Soviet Union. Maria Vittoria Trio wins the long
jump with the Italian record (6,26m) while “Prince Igor”
Ter Ovanesian jumps at 7,70 under the rain. Tamara Press dominates
javelin and shot put; Roger Bambuck wins 100m, Livio Berruti
is second, but the timing is exactly alike.
The year after the pole vault italian phenomenon Dionisi (19
years old) improves the national record; Ottoz and Frinolli
are preparing for the European title and Carlo Lievore for
the World Record. Russian Schelkanova wins female long jump,
but it is a strange case of hormonal confusion…
1967: Ter Ovanesian lands
at 8,01m in the long jump and Bliznyetsov flies over 5m in
the pole vault. Ottoz runs 110h in 13”6 (personal best)
and Berruti closes his career winning again on 200m. The year
after Ottoz runs faster again (13”5) and Bliznyetsov
agains jumps more than 5 meters, but our Dionisi does the
same… In the middle distance Zhelobowskiy wins on Del
Buono and Arese; in the discus Neu throws over 60m. In 1969
it’s a two days meeting, it seems a training for the
Universiade. Arese beats Zheloboskiy, Pippo Cindiolo wins
5.000 mt while Ottoz is preceded by Davenport and Dionisi
by Bob Seagren, with excellent measures. It is the first time
for Borzov, while Kirszenstein competes three times. Paola
Pigni wins 800m. In 1970 the Universiade “replaces”
the Meeting. In 1971 Borzov wins 100m, Ter
Ovanesian dominates again the long jump and Sanayev precedes
Beppe Gentile, like in Mexico City. Pietro Paolo Mennea wins
200m. Great Italian middle distance: Del Buono wins 800m,
Arese 1.500m, Cindolo 5.000m.
1972 is the year of Paola
Pigni who breaks many records and defeats the great Kazankina;
record for female 4x100 too (Grassano, Nappi, Orselli, Molinari)
and for Pietro Mennea. Good results on pole vault (Isaksson
and Dionisi), on triple jump (Drehmel and Corbu) and two national
stars: Sara Simeoni and March Fiasconaro, who competes for
CUS Torino.
In 1973 Pigni precedes Kazankina once again.
It rains: Crawford wins 100m in 10.2 and Mennea 200m in 20.4,
Drut 110h in 13.60. Pascoe beats John Akii-Bua and Fiasconaro
announces the world record on 800 m winning in 45”9
the 400 m. Italian again dominating the middle distance with
Fontanella (800), Arese (1500) and Del Buono (5000), with
Franco Fava second.
No Meeting in 1974, the
Meeting starts again in 1975 with two appointments
in a month: among all, “El Caballo” Alberto Juantorena
runs 400m in 44”7.
The best hurdlers are the Cuban Casanes and the American Bolding
and Mann while Dwight Stones makes show in the pole vault.
USA victories again in the shot put with Woods and in the
discus with Powell.
Franco Arese closes his career winning 1500 in the edition
of 1976 and on the same distance Gabriella
Dorio is faster than everyone else. Other Italian win: Sara
Simeoni, Rita Bottiglieri (record in 400 mt) and Carlo Grippo
(800m). Hasely Crawford, from Trinidad, wins in 10”1;
a few time later will be the owner of an Olympic gold medal.
Stekic jumps five times over 8 meters.
In 1977 starts the use of automatic timing:
Riddick runs 10”43 on 100m and Pietro Mennea runs 200m
in 20”40.
Victory and record on 400h for Bottiglieri with 57”35
and at last apparition of Dionisi, preceded by Jessee.
Juantorena comes back in Turin with other Cuban athletes in
1978: easy run for him on 800m. Also Cuban women
winning: Chivas (100) and Penton (400). In 5.000 Zarcone wins,
defeating Venanzio Ortis, who will be European Champion a
few later. Mennea, Simeoni and Dorio are Italian stars. In
1979 the meeting is replaced by a four-way tournament (Italy,
Poland, Canada and Kenya), but in 1980 the show is great with
Sebastian Coe winning 800m, he will be gold medal in Moscow
in 1500m. Sara Simeoni is once again the Italian star.
In 1981 we find a large number of young Italian
athletes: Pavoni wins 100m, Mei wins bronze medal in 1.550,
Antibo dominates 5.000 and Marisa Masullo is gold in 100m,
as Gabriella Dorio in 1.500. 1982: last Meeting in Turin for
Sara Simeoni, still winning. Good competition for Alberto
Cova in 5.000m winning on Kip Rono and Panetta.
1983 seems to be the last year of the Meeting:
Said Auita is the last star.
But the story starts again in 1995, June the 2nd…
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