Paola Cacchi

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Paola Cacchi (born Paola Pigni ; born December 30, 1945 in Milan ) is a former Italian athlete. She won an Olympic bronze medal and was the first world champion in cross-country running .

Not focused on a special discipline, she was one of the greatest Italian medium and long distance runners . She set a number of world records: four over 3000 meters (2 × 1969, 2 × 1972), two over 5000 meters (2 × 1969) and one over 10,000 meters (1970).

She was the winner of the Italian championships over 800 meters (1965 to 1969 and 1973), over 1500 meters (1970, 1972, 1974 and 1975) and over 3000 meters in 1974.

At the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich , she won the bronze medal in the 1,500 meter run behind Ljudmila Bragina (URS) and Gunhild Hoffmeister (GDR).

In 1973 and 1974, Paola Cacchi won the first two World Cross Country Championships . In 1974 she also won a silver medal with the Italian team.

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