Barella also competed at the 1984 Olympic Games. In the qualifying round he cleared 5.10, 5.20, 5.30 and 5.35—the latter height in the last attempt—to qualify for the final. In the final he cleared 5.10 in the last attempt, passed 5.20 and cleared 5.30 metres in the last attempt before failing at 5.40. He finished eighth overall.
Barella became Italian champion in 1982, 1984 and 1985. In 1984 he set a championship record of 5.50 metres, which was broken in 1985 when Viktor Drechsel achieved 5.52.[4] Barella also became Italian indoor champion in 1982 and 1984.[5] 5.50 metres from Rome in July 1984 remained his career best.[6]
