Riccardo Fortini

Riccardo Fortini, first of four sons of a night watchman, began to high jump in 1974 with the club Assi Giglio Rosso Firenze under coach Renzo Avogaro. He was among the best talents of Italian athletics but unfortunately his career was very short.

After good youth results (improving from 2.00 to 2.16 in 1975), he set a new Italian record with 2.23 during the Toscano regional championships in Livorno on 13 June 1976, at only 19-years-old, clearing on his third attempt. This result took him to the Montréal Olympics but, maybe because of his lack of international experience, he was eliminated in the qualifying round.

His Italian record lasted two years until Rodolfo Bergamo cleared 2.24 in July 1978. One year later Fortini had serious health problems (meningitis) and his career ended. He was hired as a keeper by the municipality of Firenze until his death at only 52.

Personal Best: HJ – 2.23 (1976).