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Mario Lanzi

1914 – 1980

Italian athletics competitor

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About Mario Lanzi

Lived 1914 – 1980 (aged 65). Mario Lanzi was an Italian athletics competitor, sprinter, athlete and olympic competitor.

Mario Lanzi (10 October 1914 – 21 February 1980) was an Italian athlete in the 1930s who specialised in the 800 metres and also competed over 400 metres.

Biography Lanzi was born at Castelletto sopra Ticino, in the province of Novara (Piedmont).

He won the silver medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin over 800 m, finishing behind John Woodruff. In his native Italy Lanzi was without any serious rival. However, Lanzi lost the 800 m final at the 1938 European Championships in Athletics to Rudolf Harbig. Lanzi was famous for confusing his opponents by starting 800 m races like a sprinter.

Lanzi died at Schio (Veneto), where he had worked as coach, in 1980.

National titles Lanzi won 13 individual Italian national championship titles, 5 at 400 metres and 8 at 800 metres. 400 metres: 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 800 metres: 1934, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1946

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Important facts

People in Mario Lanzi's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Mario Lanzi's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Mario Lanzi?

Italian athletics competitor (1914–1980)

When was Mario Lanzi born?

Mario Lanzi was born on 10 October 1914 in Castelletto sopra Ticino.

When did Mario Lanzi die?

Mario Lanzi died on 21 February 1980 in Schio.

What was Mario Lanzi's occupation?

Mario Lanzi was an athletics competitor, sprinter, athlete and olympic competitor.

What nationality was Mario Lanzi?

Mario Lanzi was Italian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Mario Lanzi

· Wikidata: Q1116378

· DBpedia: Mario Lanzi

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mario Lanzi. https://biography.guide/mario-lanzi/

MLA: "Mario Lanzi." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mario-lanzi/.

Chicago: "Mario Lanzi." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mario-lanzi/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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