Paola Pigni

Paola Cacchi ( native Paola Pigni; born December 30, 1945 in Milan ) is an Italian former athlete. She won an Olympic bronze medal and was the first world champion in cross-country running.

Not focused on a specialized discipline, she was one of Italy's middle and long distance runners. She put up a number of world records: four more than 3000 m (2 x 1969 2 x 1972), two more than 5000 m (2 x 1969) and a 10,000 m (1970).

She was winner of the Italian Championship over 800 meters ( 1965 to 1969 and 1973 ), more than 1500 m (1970, 1972, 1974 and 1975), and over 3000 m in 1974.

At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, she won the bronze medal in the 1500 meter run behind Lyudmila Bragina (URS ) and Gunhild Hoffmeister ( GDR).

1973 and 1974 Paola Cacchi was the winner of the first two World Cross Country Championships. In 1974 she won a silver medal at the same time with the Italian team.