Francesco Bianchi

Francesco Bianchi was a middle-distance runner in the 1960s and the best Italian 800 runner since Mario Lanzi. Internationally Bianchi’s brightest moment was winning at the 1963 Mediterranean Games in 1:50.6, defeating the Frenchmen François Châtelet and Jean Pellez. Bianchi competed in the 800 and 1,500 metres at the Tokyo Olympics, but in both events, did not advance from the heats. From 1961-67 he earned 24 international caps.

Bianchi won a total of 10 national titles: six in the 800 (1961-65 and 1967) and four consecutively in the 1,500 from 1962-65. He died of a heart attack in September 1977 at only 37 while he was in training at the Arena track at Milano.

Personal Bests: 800 – 1:48.3 (1965); 1500 – 3:42.5 (1965).