Roberto Barbi (born 25 March 1965), born in Switzerland but Tuscan of Bagni di Lucca,[2] is a former Italian long-distance runner who specialized in the marathon.

Roberto Barbi
Personal information
National teamItaly: 5 caps (1994-1999)[1]
Born (1965-03-25) 25 March 1965 (age 59)
Switzerland[1]
Height1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight56 kg (123 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
EventMarathon
ClubCover Avo[1]
Retired2009
Achievements and titles
Personal bests
  • Half marathon: 1:01:49 (2000)
  • Marathon: 2:10:12 (2000)

He is currently serving a 38 year competition ban for repeated violations of anti-doping regulations. The ban will expire in 2047 when Barbi will be 82 years old.[3]

Biography

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He finished twentieth in the marathon event at the 1999 World Championships, and 37th at the 1999 World Half Marathon Championships.[4] He also competed at the 2001 World Championships, but was disqualified.

His personal best marathon time was 2:10:12 hours, achieved in October 2000 in Venice. He had 1:02:09 hours in the half marathon, achieved in April 1999 in Milan.[4]

Doping

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In 1996 Barbi tested positive for Ephedrine and was subsequently handed a three-month ban from sports.[5][6]

In 2001 he tested positive for EPO in a sample collected 30 July, the day he'd arrived in Edmonton for the 2001 World Athletics Championships.[3] His result from the marathon was disqualified, and he received a four-year ban from sports. The ban was later reduced to 25 months, after he cooperated with the Italian anti-doping authorities and police, giving detailed information about his doping. He admitted to have used EPO since 1998.[3]

In 2008 he tested positive for both EPO and Ephedrine. The sample was delivered on 20 July 2008 in an in-competition test in Mende, Lozère. This time he received a suspension for life.[7]

History of disqualifications

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Barbi, despite having been repeatedly disqualified, has repeatedly violated the terms of his disqualification by participating in running competitions.[8]

  • 1998: 4 mouths for ephedrine[8]
  • 2001: 4 years until 31 August 2005 (he will be 40 years old)
  • 2009: disqualification for life
  • 2009: reduced disqualification until 9 March 2024 (he will be 59 years old)
  • 2018: 8 years until 29 July 2032 (he will be 67 years old)[9]
  • 2020: 15 years until 28 July 2047 (he will be 82 years old)[9]

Achievements

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  • All results regarding marathon, unless stated otherwise
Year Competition Venue Position Notes
Representing   Italy
1999 World Championships Seville, Spain 20th 2:18:13
2001 World Championships Edmonton, Canada DSQ (60th) DSQ

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Annuario FIDAL dell'atletica 2010" (PDF) (in Italian). asdpedaggio-castiglionetorinese.com. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Scontata la squalifica a Roberto Barbi: potrà tornare a correre nel 2024" (in Italian). lagazzettadelserchio.it. 26 March 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2021. Nuovo capitolo alla vicenda sportiva di Roberto Barbi, il podista di Bagni di Lucca...
  3. ^ a b c Eugenio Capoacqua: Barbi, tutto sul doping La mia vita con l' epo , La Repubblica, 12 July 2002
  4. ^ a b Roberto Barbi at World Athletics  
  5. ^ Associated Press: CONI bans runner Barbi for life for doping, espn.com, 10 March 2009
  6. ^ 21/04/2011 - Intervista a Roberto Barbi: La mia corsa fermata dall'Epo, runners-tv.it
  7. ^ "Doping Rule Violation". IAAF.org. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 17 April 2009.
  8. ^ a b "A volte ritornano… Barbi braccato da Stefano La Sorda" (in Italian). podisti.net. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Stangata per Roberto Barbi: squalificato fino al 2047!" (in Italian). atleticalive.it. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
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