Paola Paternoster (née Carotenuto; 22 December 1935 – 27 June 2018) was an Italian track and field athlete best known for her performances in the throwing events. Born in Rome, she emerged in the 1950s as one of Italy's leading women competitors in discus and javelin. Her career combined international representation with sustained domestic success.
Athletic career and international competitions
Paternoster represented Italy at two Olympic Games. She contested the discus throw at both the 1956 and the 1960 Summer Olympics, and she also competed in the javelin throw during the 1956 Games. Across these appearances she placed in the range of eleventh to twentieth position in her events, marking her among the competitive field of mid-century international throwers.
National achievements
On the domestic scene Paternoster was dominant: she won 17 national championships at senior level, a record that underlined her consistency and versatility within Italy's athletics program. Her string of national titles reflected both technical skill and longevity, characteristics prized in throwing disciplines where experience and refined technique are decisive.
Significance and style
As a specialist in the throws, Paternoster exemplified the attributes typical of successful field athletes: strength, coordination, and disciplined training. Competing during a period when women's athletics were gaining broader recognition, she contributed to raising the profile of Italian women in field events and provided a model for younger athletes who followed.
Later life and legacy
After retiring from competition she remained a noted figure in Italy’s sports history. Paola Paternoster died in Rome on 27 June 2018 from colorectal cancer at the age of 82. Her record of national titles and Olympic participation continue to be cited when tracing the development of women's throwing events in Italy.
Notable facts
- Born in Rome in 1935 and active mainly in the 1950s–1960s.
- Competed in discus and javelin at the Olympic level; discus in 1956 and 1960, javelin in 1956 (1956 Games).
- Won 17 senior national championships, demonstrating sustained national dominance.