Mike Gattone (Libertyville, IL) – Coach of Tara Nott Cunningham
South-side Chicago native Gattone, now on USA Weightlifting’s staff, is a well-known figure in the world of both weightlifting and strength and conditioning. Gattone began his sporting career as a thrower before falling in love with the iron game. This would begin a 30+ year love affair with the sport.

Gattone became a key figure at the 1996 Olympic Games, acting as the Competition Manager for the weightlifting event, one of two people on USA Weightlifting’s staff to act in such a capacity. At that Games, he would meet Tara Nott Cunningham, who was working for the Soccer event. Together, they would set off on a journey via the legendary Coffee’s Gym and Sayre Park Weightlifting teams leading to Tara Nott winning the first Olympic Gold medal in the history of the sport. Nott is now a member of both the USA Weightlifting and IWF Hall of Fames.

Outside of weightlifting, his strength coaching career would take him to some very notable positions, including with the Chicago Bulls and United States Olympic Committee before returning to USA Weightlifting for a second stint in 2017.

USA Weightlifting Celebrates Italian Heritage Month

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