Italian 400m hurdler Fabrizio Mori is one of the sport’s enthusiasts and can lay claim to a record 12 appearances in the SPAR European Cup.

Mori on his good times, and his one bad time, in the European Cup…

“I have good memories of every single race I ran in the European Cup after I made my debut in 1989. Being part of a team, in our sport, is always something special, and it’s very different from what we usually do. I like that feeling, and this is why I have always answered the call of my country. Wearing the azzurro vest (the light blue Italian national team’s colour) is always fantastic.

“But my first time in the Cup was a nightmare! It was in 1989, in Gateshead. It was also my first appearance in the national team, and obviously I wanted to run the best race of my life.

“However, it was a disaster! I was in lane one, on a cold and windy day, and the result was shocking, eighth in a very unimpressive 51.09 seconds, far, far away from my best at that time which was 49.86. I still remember how I felt the day after as well; I was still feeling awful!”

Mori on team competitions…

“I really like them. I still compete for my club Fiamme Gialle. In May, for instance, I ran the 400m hurdles and in the 4x400m relay for them at the European Champion Clubs Cup.

“It's the first time we have won the trophy for many years and I was so happy, even if the time I ran was nothing special. I have an excuse about that though, there was wind and it was the first lane again, just like in Gateshead back in 1989. But at least I was third this time, not bringing up the rear.”


Mori was the 1999 men’s 400m hurdles World champion and the 2001 World Championships Silver medalist. He has won the SPAR European Cup in his specialist event five times in 12 appearances. His Italian national record, one of seven he set between1996 and 2001, of 47.54 seconds makes him the third fastest European ever.