Lanzi was born at Castelletto sopra Ticino, in the province of Novara (Piedmont).

He won the silver medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin over 800 m, finishing behind John Woodruff.

However, Lanzi lost the 800 m final at the 1938 European Championships in Athletics to Rudolf Harbig.

Lanzi was famous for confusing his opponents by starting 800 m races like a sprinter.

[citation needed] Lanzi died at Schio (Veneto), where he had worked as coach, in 1980.