Indeed, Marcello Fiasconaro was an interesting runner. Born 1949 in South
Africa as son to an Italian soldier who had been deatined in RSA during WW II.
Was a rugby player who took up 400 to improve his speed in the winter 1970-71.
His third race landed at 46.5! Held an Italian passport and went to Italy to
compete internationally. Ran 45.5 in 1971, missed the EurCh gold to Dave
Jenkins with a few hundreths and was ranked No 7 by TFN. Ran 45.6 in 1972 but
missed the OG (injury, I think). Went to 800 in 1973 and broke the WR with
1:43.7 at a race in Milano on June 27. (He led himself all the way with 51.2
at 400). Ranked No. 3 by TFN (behind Rick Wohlhuter (who had WR'd the 880 in
1:44.6) and South Africa's Danie Malan). In 1974 he was a favorite to win the
EurCh 800 in Rome. However he was not in super shape. (1:46.1 before the
Champs) He tried to make pace with 50.1 at 400. At 600 he was passed by
Yugoslavia's that year super good Luciano Susanj. Susanj went on to win with
1:44.07 (then #4 World AT), while Fiasconaro faded to 6th with 1:46.3. It was
a close race behind Susanj. The silver went to the 19 year old Steve Ovett
with 1:45.8 (I only have the 1/100 for Susanj) and 8th place was clocked at
1:46.3! (That was Willi Wulbeck - World Champion 9 years later in Helsinki!)
After that Fiasconaro had injury problems and never returned to top shape. But
he was an interesting runner, a tough front runner at both 400 (if possible at
that distance) and 800.
Somebody who reads this might have more info on Fiasconaro then me, with my
Swedish perspective.
Mats Åkerlind
"Wayne T. Armbrust" wrote:
> "P.F.Talbot" wrote:
>
> > Juantorena aside, if you look at the 800 as an event, the 800/1500m types
> > come out on top of the 400/800m types. Other than Juanto there hasn't
> > been anyone who has had a shot at making an Olympic or World Championship
> > final in both the 400 and 800 in the last 30 years.
>
> What about Fiascanaro (sp?) from South Africa who ran for Italy while South
> Africa was suspended from the IAAF? He was very good in both a few years
> before Juantorena started running the 800.
>
> --
> Wayne T. Armbrust, Ph.D.
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Computomarx™
> 3604 Grant Ct.
> Columbia MO 65203-5800 USA
> (573) 445-6675 (voice & FAX)
> http://www.Computomarx.com
> "Know the difference between right and wrong...
> Always give your best effort...
> Treat others the way you'd like to be treated..."
> - Coach Bill Sudeck (1926-2000)
