27. Januar 2006  
Italy  
Artistic Gymnastics

Savino Guglielmetti passed away...

Savino Guglielmetti
* 1911, Nov 26 - + 2006, Jan 23

The Italian Gymnastics Federation informed about the death on 23 January 2006 of Savino Guglielmetti, born on 26 November 1911 in Milan. This great champion has won two gold medals at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Since his friend Leon Stukelj (SLO) has died in 2003, Savino Guglielmetti was one of the oldest Olympic champion*. Until his very last days, he was very quick-minded and highly interested in gymnastics, in particular in the work of the Italian Gymnastics Federation and was very often a protagonist who was listened to and present at different events.

Two big 'azurri' champions: Igor Cassina and Savino Guglielmetti (ITA)


Savino Guglielmetti
* 1911, Nov 26 - + 2006, Jan 23

Only an unforeseen problem prevented him from participating in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. He was always a member of 'Pro Patria 1883' and his last function was the one of vice-president.
In 1998, he became a member of the famous 'Hall of Fame' in Oklahoma City; an honour, which the great Japanese Champion Endo qualifies as the “gymnastics Nobel prize”.
His last official public appearance was in April 2005, when the new sponsor of the Italian Gymnastics Federation was presented. He was affectionately assisted by Yuri Chechi and Igor Cassina, the two famous “azzurri” gymnasts.
Savino Guglielmetti will always be remembered as a great gymnast who was always faithful to his passion; a man with a great heart, dignified and discreet. One of his greatest pleasures was to be in a hall and observe the training of the new generations of young gymnasts.
Source: UEG; photos: pro patria 1883

Savino Guglielmetti

The F.I.G. appreciates this big personality:

Savino Guglielmetti was born in Milan on November 26, 1911 and was swift to make known his natural talent for gymnastics and . pole vaulting! Those closest to him noticed his ability, particularly his coach at that time, Mario Corrias. Discreetly, they prepared for the Olympics of 1932. In Los Angeles, Savino Guglielmetti took the Gold medal in Vault, claiming an additional Gold with the Italian team.

From that time on, Savino's victories multiplied: Italian Champion in 1935 and from 1938 to 1940.
He participated in the Games in Berlin in 1936 finishing 5th with the Squadra and ranked 12th in Individuals. Once peace had been restored to Europe in 1945, he returned to competition.

In 1948, he participated in his third Olympic Games in London. The Azzuris again ranked 5th. In the All-around Competition, judges had a hard time clearing the London fog from the Code of Points. One mistake led to another and Savino fell to 30th!
Once his sports career had come to an end, Savino Guglielmetti decided to remain in Italian gymnastics. His work and influence are known all over the Peninsula. In 2000, he was decorated with the IOC Olympic Order, a much deserved and applauded distinction.

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)* - After the death of Leon Stukelj (SLO) 2003 at the contemporarily moment the French cyclist (sprint) and Olympic Champion of Amsterdam (1928) Roger Beaufrand - born 2008, Sep 25 - is the world's oldest Olympic Champion, followed by the German gymnast and Olympic Champion (Berlin, 1936), Walter Steffens, who celebrated his 97th birthday December 26 last year.
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