Arturo Maffei

Arturo Maffei was the first world-class Italian long jumper. His greatest day came on 4 August 1936 at the Berlin Olympics when he was fourth in the event won by the great Jesse Owens. His mark of 7.75 at Berlin remained an Italian record for 32 years until it was overtaken by Giuseppe Gentile with 7.91 in Chorzow on 17 August 1968.

For many seasons Maffei battled with the Germans Luz Long and Wilhelm Leichum for continental supremacy. At the European Championships Maffei was fifth at Torino in 1934, winning a silver medal at Paris in 1938, behind Leichum but ahead of Long. In 1938 Maffei won the English AAA title with 7.52, and in 1939 led the European rankings with 7.58.

Maffei was a substitute goalkeeper from 1929-31 for the Fiorentina football club and after his retirement he was an athletic trainer for many clubs. He won eight Italian titles in the long jump and earned 25 caps with his first Italian record of 7.42, set in Bologna on 17 May 1936. Per his wishes, his ashes were scattered to the sea off his native town of Viareggio.

Personal Best: LJ – 7.63 (1937).