Delfo Cabrera

Delfo Cabrera

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Personal information
Born	(1919-04-02)April 2, 1919 Armstrong, Santa Fe, Argentina
Died	Alberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Medal record Men's athletics Representing Argentina Olympic Games 1948 London Marathon Pan American Games 1951 Buenos Aires Marathon

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Cabrera and the second or maternal family name is Gómez.

Delfo Cabrera Gómez (April 2, 1919 – August 2, 1981) was an Argentine athlete, winner of the marathon race at the 1948 Summer Olympics in one of the most dramatic finishes in athletics history.

Biography

Born in Armstrong, Santa Fe, Delfo played football as a youth, but decided to turn to athletics after Juan Carlos Zabala's triumph at the 1932 Summer Olympics.

He moved to Buenos Aires in 1938 and began training in San Lorenzo de Almagro under Francisco Mura. At the same year, he won his first national championships title (in 5000 m). Over the years he would win 9 more titles, but none of them in marathon.

Delfo served in the army during the World War II where he met Juan Perón. After the war, being a friend of Perón, he was active member of Justicialist Party. He received the Peronist Medal in 1949.

The London Olympic Games were Cabrera's first major international tournament. Etienne Gailly from Belgium dominated the marathon race most of the way and until almost the very last moments. He was the first to enter the stadium, but with 400 m to go, Gailly fell down, exhausted, got up and fell again. It was like Dorando Pietri's dramatic finish 40 years before. Cabrera and Tom Richards of Great Britain managed to pass the staggering Gailly, winning Delfo by 0.56 seconds ahead of Richards.

The victory remain for 64 years, the last Argentinian gold medal in an individual competition, until the victory of Sebastián Crismanich in taekwondo in the 2012 games.

Cabrera participated also at the 1952 Summer Olympics and was the flag bearer for Argentina at the opening ceremony, gaining sixth place in the marathon. Cabrera ended his athletics career after finishing sixth at the 1954 Boston Marathon. After that he taught physical education in several schools.

Delfo died in a car accident near the town of Alberti, Buenos Aires province.

Achievements

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing Argentina
1952	Olympic Games	Helsinki, Finland	6th	Marathon	2:26:42.4

References

• Website about Delfo Cabrera (in Spanish)