Stefano Mei

Stefano Mei ( born February 3, 1963 in La Spezia ) is an Italian former middle and long distance runners. At a height of 1.82 m his competition weight was 66 kg.

With one gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the European Championships Mei belonged to the group of long-distance runners from Italy, who dominated in the 80s in Europe.

At the World Athletics Championships in 1983 and at the 1984 Olympics Stefano Mei was excreted in the 1500 -meter run each in the semifinals. At the European Indoor Championships in 1986, he indicated with a second place over 3000 meters behind the Austrian Dietmar Millonig that would be expected on the longer routes with him in the future.

On the first day of the European Championships 1986, the 10,000 - meter race was held. The favorite was Alberto Cova, who had last won every major championship race. The race was run with a restrained pace, because the three Italians Cova, Salvatore Antibo and Mei were all sure to be in a sprint fast enough, and the other runners had at least before Cova and Antibo much respect. In the final sprint then, as expected, the three Italian front. Only the order was surprising because Mei won in 27:56,79 min before Cova and Antibo.

For the final in the 5000 -meter run - five days later - to Antibo, Cova and Mei qualified easily. Also qualifying were the three British Jack Buckner, Tim Hutchings and Steve Ovett. The British had drawn their conclusions from the stroll race over the long haul and submitted a brisk pace, the Ovett was the first could not follow. But Antibo Cova and then had to be demolished. Ultimately won Buckner in 13:10,15 min before Mei in 13:11,57 min and Hutchings.

At the 1988 Olympic Games Mei was about 5000 meters seventh. He took this place also at the European Championships in 1990 over 5000 meters. Over 10,000 meters ran Salvatore Antibo all other runners it and won clearly in 27:41,27 min, behind it was a close sprint for the other medals, which the Norwegians Are Nakkim ( 28:04,04 min) before Stefano Mei ( 28:04,46 min) won.