The 30 August 1987 was for the World Championships in Rome the "day of days".
In the space of 41 minutes the spectators witnessed three world records, two real, and one deleted after one year for doping. The high notes came in the 100m by Ben Johnson, who won in 9:83 in front of Carl Lewis (9:93) and in the high jump by Stefka Kostadinova (2:09) that resists even today twenty-nine years later.
But the Italy of athletics had yet to cover himself with glory.
At 19:21 entered in the Olympic stadium as a winner in the 20 km road walk Maurizio Damilano.
The 20 km road walk of the World Championships in Rome 1987 was one of the textbook races of Maurizio Damilano.
They had started in 42.
The favorites of the eve were Ernesto Canto (MEX), Carlos Mercenario (MEX) and Viktor Mostovik (RUS).
Mercenario and Mostovik were gold and silver respectively at the World Cup in New York on May 3, 1987 with the fabulous performance, at that time: 1:19:24 for Carlos Mercenario and 1:19:32 for Viktor Mostovik (which for him it was then the best result of his career).
The sober but essential report of Sandro Damilano:
Start at 6:00 PM, the avenues of the Foro Italico, the turn near the Aula Bunker, all without study phases. Immediately go to lead a group with Maurizio, the Mexicans Ernesto Canto and Carlos Mercenary, the Russian Viktor Mostovik, the Spanish José Marin, the Czech Josef Pribilinec and Walter Arena (ITA). Carlo Mattioli (ITA) was just behind, in the waiting position.
Around the 12 km Mercenario force the pace, Maurizio and Mostovik follow him, remaining close to. Shortly after they watch to the disqualification of the Mexican by the Chief Judge, the Italian Giuliano Tosi, while Canto, meanwhile, is blown up.
After the 15th, Maurizio is in front, in solitude, with half a minute on Pribilinec who try to force the pace and ending strong, as well as Mattioli will be the fifth"
They will be disqualified as well as Mercenario other pompous names of race walkers of the time: Axel Noack (DDR), Ernesto Canto (MEX), Dave Smith (AUS) and Walter Arena (ITA).
Maurizio Damilano won with a time of 1:20:45.
Josef Pribilinec was second in 1:21:07.
Jose Marin was bronze in 1:21:24.
Viktor Mostovick was fourth in 1:21:53.
These four athletes finished the 20km under the wall of 1:22:00 that twenty-nine years ago, separated the elite from normality.
After them finish the race 31 other athletes.
Only two will be those who will abandon: Hector Moreno (COL) and Frants Kostyukevich (RUS - BLR), who will win the 20 km in World Cup l'Hospitalet (ESP) in 1989.