Livio Berruti, Olympic Champion in 200m at Rome 1960, Dies at 87

Livio Berruti, the celebrated Olympic champion of the 200 meters at the 1960 Rome Games, has passed away at the age of 87 after a period of illness. His death was reported by sources close to his family.

Berruti, who was born in Turin on May 19, 1939, discovered his passion for athletics in 1955. Despite an initial interest in tennis, his exceptional speed in sprints led him to pursue track and field. Just a few years later, he achieved a historic victory, becoming the first European sprinter to win an Olympic gold medal in the 200 meters.

On September 3, 1960, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Berruti delivered a legendary performance. He equaled the world record in the semifinals with a time of 20.5 seconds and then secured the gold medal in the final with the same time, narrowly beating American Lester Carney and Abdou Seye of Senegal. This triumph earned him 800,000 lire from CONI for the gold medal, 400,000 lire for the world record, and a Fiat 500 as a gift from the car manufacturer.

Four years later, at the Tokyo Olympics, Berruti competed in the 200 meters on an unfavorable inner lane, finishing fifth, yet still the highest-ranked European, in a race won by American Henry Carr.

After his athletic career, Berruti transitioned into the world of communication. In 2006, he had the honor of being one of the eight Italian flag bearers at the closing ceremony of the Turin Winter Olympics.

Livio Berruti's legacy is further cemented by his inclusion on one of the plaques on Rome's Walk of Fame of Italian Sport, an honor bestowed by CONI to celebrate the nation's sporting legends.

The sporting world has expressed its profound sorrow at Berruti's passing. Marcell Jacobs, the current Olympic 100m champion, shared his grief, stating, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Livio Berruti. He was an Olympic gold medalist, defeating American champions for the first time as an Italian, and narrowly missed a repeat with the relay. I recognize myself greatly in his fascinating, angelic stride. Berruti's lightness is a model for us sprinters. It highlights how beautiful our discipline is and how much emotion it can convey to millions of Italians and beyond. I bow to the memory of his great achievement, which he accomplished at just 21 years old, also in the Fiamme Oro group like me. I am also grateful for his words after my victory in Tokyo: 'It was an exciting race, it took me back sixty years. I have found a worthy heir.' I will run for him, in Birmingham."

CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio announced that flags would be flown at half-mast at the CONI headquarters in Rome and declared a period of mourning for the sporting world. He urged all National Sports Federations, Associated Sports Disciplines, and Sports Promotion Bodies to observe a minute of silence in competitions to honor Berruti's memory.

"Another icon of our sporting world has left us," Buonfiglio stated. "None of us will ever forget his victory in Rome 1960. Berruti was an unreachable champion whose deeds will remain in the history of our sport. He made Italy dream and, with his gold at the Rome Games, he made us proud of our Italian identity."

The official statement from CONI read: "The world of sport mourns the passing of Livio Berruti. Olympic champion at the 1960 Rome Games in the 200 meters, the Piedmontese sprinter leaves us at the age of 87. CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, upon learning of the sad passing of Berruti, an indisputable icon of the Olympic movement, has ordered flags to be flown at half-mast at the CONI headquarters at the Foro Italico, declaring mourning for the world of sport and inviting National Sports Federations, Associated Sports Disciplines, and Sports Promotion Bodies to honor his memory with a minute of silence in competitions in the coming days."

Berruti is survived by his wife, Silvia. Funeral services will be held privately.