Gabriella DORIO

Gabriella Dorio had a long athletics career, and was a member of the Italian national team from 1974-91. After finishing eighth over 800 m at the 1973 European Junior Championships, she débuted as a senior at the 1974 European Championships, placing ninth in the 1,500, before winning bronze in the 1,500 at the 1975 European Juniors. Her career highlight came at the 1984 Olympics, where she won the 1,500 m gold medal and was fourth in the 800.

Dorio also won 1,500 m bronze at the 1982 European Championships, a European Indoor 1,500 m title in 1982, and a Mediterranean Games 800 m gold in 1979. She also competed at the 1976 and 1980 Olympics, finishing sixth in the 1976 1,500 m, and fourth in the 1,500 and eighth in the 800 in 1980. She was seventh in the 1,500 at the 1983 World Championships, and sixth in that event at the 1978 European Championships.

After her Olympic victory, Dorio missed the 1986 European Championships due to pregnancy and then couple of seasons due injuries. She last competed internationally in 1991, when she won bronze in the 1,500 at the Mediterranean Games and was eliminated in the heats of both the 800 and 1,500 at the World Championships. Dorio was a 23-time Italian champion – seven times at 800 m (1974-76, 1980-83), 10 times at 1,500 m (1973, 1976-84), twice in the indoor 800 m (1978, 1979) and indoor 1,500 m (1981, 1983), and twice in cross-country (1976, 1983).

Personal Bests: 800 – 1:57.66 (1980); 1,500 – 3:58.65 (1982).