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Livio Berruti, Italy's 'Angel' sprinter of the 1960 Olympics, dies at 87

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Livio Berruti, the 1960 Rome Olympics 200m gold medalist, has died at age 87.
  • Berruti was the first European sprinter to break the dominance of American sprinters and became a symbol of Italy's post-war economic boom.
  • He was remembered for his iconic victory and his role in a romanticized link with American sprinter Wilma Rudolph.

Livio Berruti, the Italian sprinter who captured hearts and a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics, has died at 87.

He was called The Angel, for how he flew in races: and indeed on August 3, 1960, when he attacked the 200-meter bend at the Olympic Stadium, launching himself towards the gold medal at the Rome Games, he, a white Italian, was better than the black American sprinters, doves rose from the track to underline the miracle.

— ANSADescribing Livio Berruti's iconic 1960 Olympic victory.

Known as "The Angel" for his graceful running style, Berruti became an enduring symbol of a happy, prosperous Italy emerging from the post-war era. His stunning victory in the 200 meters at the Rome Games, where he outpaced the favored American sprinters, was a moment of national pride. Doves reportedly took flight from the track as he crossed the finish line, a poetic touch to an unexpected triumph.

Berruti's win was not just a sporting achievement; it was a cultural moment. He became the face of Italy's "economic miracle," gracing magazine covers and embodying the nation's newfound optimism. His prize for that historic race was a Fiat 500, a symbol of Italian design and burgeoning prosperity, which he famously used to pick up a young journalist for a ride back to Turin.

Livio Berruti was the cover of a happy Italy, daughter of another miracle, the economic one.

— ANSAHighlighting Berruti's symbolic importance during Italy's post-war economic boom.

Beyond his athletic prowess, Berruti's life was marked by a blend of athletic achievement and unconventional interests. He studied chemistry and worked in advertising, living a life that defied easy categorization. His legacy includes being the progenitor of Italian sprinters, though his relationship with successor Pietro Mennea was complex. Berruti's passing marks the end of an era, closing a chapter on a beloved figure who represented a golden age for Italy.

He became a myth of Italian sport: the whole country, which was seeking light after the darkness of the war, cheered for that young man capable of enchanting, and not just for that light and winning stride.

— ANSAExplaining Berruti's broader appeal beyond his athletic performance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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