in 1979, mennea placed first in the 100 metres and second in the 200 m behind allan wells of great britain in the european cup. later in the year, aged 27, he took part in the world university games, which were held on the high-altitude track of mexico city. on 12 september 1979, he won the 200 metres with a time of 19.72. his time set a new world record, beating tommie smith's time of 19.83 set on the same track in the 1968 summer olympics. the record held for almost seventeen years before michael johnson broke it at the 1996 u.s. olympic trials. to date, only nine athletes have recorded a better time over 200 metres than mennea. his time stands as the current european record. he also held the low-altitude world record, 19.96, from 1980 to 1983, set in his home town of barletta. on 17 august 1980, mennea became the first sprinter to break 20 seconds for the 200 metres for the third time.