Stefano Baldini in Gothenburg (© Getty Images)
When he crossed the finish line in Gothenburg last Sunday to capture his second European title in the Marathon, Stefano Baldini made a strong arguement that he just may be one of the finest Europeans to have ever raced over the distance. Displaying the patience that only a master of the event can exhibit, the 35-year-old Italian’s 2:11:32 victory appeared seemingly effortless, underscoring his phenomenal ability to run and win in major championship races.
But there’s more to the personable Italian than merely a penchant for winning major medals. Besides his Olympic gold, two European titles and a pair of World Championships bronze medals, he’s been among the most consistent marathoners since making his first impact over the 42.2 Km distance nearly a decade ago. At the Flora London marathon in 1997, he finished second, just two seconds behind the winner Antonio Pinto, and followed up the following fall with third place showing in New York. In seven appearances in London, he's finished runner-up twice, and never further back than sixth. In a pair of New York finishes, he's reached the line third and fifth, and can boast four sub-2:08 career performances, most recently a 2:07:22 national record at London in April.
Next up for the 35-year-old? A careful step-by-step approach to a possible title defence at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
"After Athens I was thinking about a lot of things, including retirement," Baldini said, admitting that finding motivation after his Olympic triumph was a struggle, if only a brief one. "But you can’t retire when you are the Olympic champion and when you are full of energy and in good form. The problem now is to arrive in Bejing 2008 in good form and good health. I have to look step-by-step."
New York beckons, but fall marathon still uncertain
At 35, Baldini knows that careful preparation and very selective racing will be paramount in his quest for a second Olympic title. Organisers of the ING New York City Marathon announced yesterday that they have extended an invitation and an offer to Baldini, but emphasized that nothing is yet certain.
"The door is open to him, but it is his decision to decide whether he joins us this year," said New York race director Mary Wittenberg. "His health and well being is first and foremost and we will respect his decision regardless."
Said Baldini: "Before this race I was also thinking about another marathon this year, but I have to decide soon now. In this race I ran very well, and I finished very good. Over the next week we will decide."
In Gothenburg, Baldini was patient, at times sharing the lead and at times sitting back. Until he upped the ante in the latter stages.
"I stayed sometimes in the back and sometimes in the front, waiting until the last 10 kilometres because I was thinking that was the way to win. And I did it." Of the four 1998 European champions who competed in Gothenburg, Baldini was the only on to pull off a victory.
"I like to compete in these kinds of competitions when there are medals to win, and when the weather is not the best weather," he said. "I don’t like the humidity and the heat, but nobody likes it. But I run well when the humidity and heat are high. So thinking about Beijing 2008 we have to think about that."
Baldini has also expressed his desire to compete at next year’s World Championships in Osaka to collect the only major gold medal missing from his collection.
"I hope to be in good health, that is the secret. I think I am in good form to compete there for the podium."
But that decision will come only after a possible fall marathon when he plans out his 2007 competition calendar.
"Everything now is step-by-step."
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
