Italian Paralympic marathon runner Carlo Durante passes away

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is mourning the loss of Italian Paralympian Carlo Durante, who passed away on 24 May, aged 73. 

Born in Volpago del Montello, Durante was a star distance runner, with his top discpline being the marathon. Competing in the vision impaired category, the Italian won gold at the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, and captured silver at Atlanta 1996 and bronze at Sydney 2000. 

Durante’s talents were noticed when he claimed first place at the 1994 World Championships in Berlin, Germany, in addition to the gold medals at the European Championships in 1991, 1993 and 1997.

Due to his extraordinary achievements, Durante was awarded the Gold Collar for Sporting Merit, the highest honour of the Italian Olympic Committee, in December 2015.

He boasts more than 70 marathons, including the majors in New York, Boston and London. 

Suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, Durante completely lost his vision at 40. 

Italian Paralympic Committee President and IPC Governing Board Member Luca Pancalli said: “A giant of Italian sport passes away, a star of the Italian Paralympic Committee.

“I am saddened by the death of Carlo Durante. In addition to being a champion, Carlo was a point of reference for our Movement, also for the promotion of sport for all. I take this opportunity to express my condolensence and that of NPC Italy to his family and loved ones.”