Status: All-time great distance runner. 2004 Olympic Marathon gold medalist will compete in this Sunday's New York City Marathon.
Ht: 5-8 Wt: 140
DOB: May 25, 1971 In: Castenuovo di Sotto, Italy
Inspiration(s): "Italy had a good tradition in the mid-distance runners. And also marathon runners. And I start in the early '80s with Alberto Cova and Gelindo Bordin (Marathon gold in '88). I have also the same coach as Gelindo Bordin and Alberto Cova - Mr. Lucio Gigliotti, the most medaled coach winner in Italy [smiles]."
Hobbies/Interests: "I like to stay with my family, my daughter Alessia, she's five. I read a lot. I work with the Internet. I like to drive my motorbike. But normally I watch the sports, all the sports. (Such as?) Soccer, motorcycling and Formula 1."
Favorite Movies: "Revenge and Cinderella Man."
Musical Tastes: "Oh I like Italian music and International rock like U2."
Early Running Memory: "My first race (age 10) was a 50 meters sprint and it was I arrived as the last one [smiles], last place. The second race - 800 meters - longer - my category - and I was the first one."
Pre-Race Feeling: "Normally I don't feel big pressure. I am a quiet man. Marathon is something different. Because you prepared for this race a lot of miles, for a lot of time. And you feel motivated but also a little scared [smiles]."
First Job: "I was an employee (administrative officer) of my sponsor (Calcestruzzi Corradini). They produce building materials (age 21)."
First Car: "Green Fiat."
Favorite Meal: "Is a big steak fiorentina [laughs]."
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: "Is vanilla."
Greatest Sports Moment: "Athens 2004 (2:10.55)."
Most Painful Moment: "World championships in 2005 (Helsinki). I didn't finish the race because of cramps."
Embarrassing Racing Memory: "No. Not an embarrassing race in my career."
Favorite Vacation Spot: "Egypt."
Favorite Athletes To Watch: "Valentino Rossi (motorcycle racing). (Running?) Now - Haile Gebreselassie. (Sprinter?) Pietro Mennea (1980 Olympic gold in 200 meters in Moscow). (Tennis?) Roger Federer is very close with me. He play like I run. We have similar philosophy. We think about the sport similarly. (Formula 1?) Ayrton Senna. (Soccer?) Alessandro Del Pierro."
Childhood Dream: "A runner. Like today."
People Qualities Most Admired: "Smiling people. People who smile all the days - in the joy and in the difficult."
Career Accomplishments: Won 1996 World Half-Marathon Championships gold; 2001 & 2003 World Championships Marathon bronze; European Marathon Championships gold in '98 and 2006; Olympic Marathon gold in 2004; 2004 Abebe Bikila Award presented by NYRR for outstanding contributions to the sport of distance running.
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