Stefano Tilli

Stefano Tilli began his senior career with Polisportiva Kronos of Roma and later represented AAA Ostia. Coached in Roma by Plinio Castrucci, Tilli shot to fame in the winter of 1983 with a surprising win in the 60 metres at the European Indoor Championships. That year he helped Italy win a silver medal in the 4x100 relay at the Helsinki World Championships in the time of 38.37, an Italian record that lasted until August 2010.

Tilli ran the 100 and 200 at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, but did not make either final. The following year Tilli won the European Indoor 200 m title, reached the semi-finals at the 1986 European Championships and at the World Championships in Roma. He made the semis in the 200 at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and placed fourth at the 1990 European Championships. After losing several years to injury, Tilli come back in 1998 for the Europeans where he placed fourth. He also competed at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and from 1983-2000 earned 51 international caps.

After Tilli retired he coached Jamaican sprinter star Merlene Ottey for many years, with whom he also was involved romantically. In the 2010s he was technical consultant of FIDAL (the Italian Athletics Federation) and a sports commentator with RAI, Italian public television.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.16 (1984); 200 – 20.40 (1984).