6 November 2000 – Monte Carlo – During the night of 7 November 1999, in Rome, IAAF President, Dr Primo Nebiolo, died suddenly following a heart attack. A year has passed since his death and the World Athletics Movement wishes to remember the work carried out by Nebiolo during his long presidency – he succeeded Holland’s Adriaan Paulen in 1981 – and his exceptional career as a sports administrator.
Born in Turin on 14 July 1923, Nebiolo was a good long jumper in his youth and, after completing his degree in law and political science, he devoted his attention to rebuilding the university sports movement, which had been severely disrupted by World War II and the world’s division into two political and ideological blocs. Nebiolo re-introduced the Universiades and became the president of FISU, before being elected to the presidency of the Italian Athletics Federation (FIDAL) in 1969, a post he retained until 1989.
"As time passes, it becomes ever more apparent just how exceptional was the work carried out by Primo Nebiolo for the development of Athletics – said current IAAF President Lamine Diack – But on this occasion, I would most like to underline the love that he had for our sport and its champions, to whom he truly gave the best of himself. I believe that the extraordinary success of athletics at the Sydney Olympics was largely attributable to his efforts and I often think just how happy he would have been if he had been there to watch the great competition and marvellous crowd response in Australia. When I think of this, it strengthens my resolve to fulfil the commitment I assumed a year ago to continue to make the Athletics Movement progress throughout the world."
A memorial mass for Primo Nebiolo will be held in Turin, tomorrow, 7 November, in the Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio at 7.00 p.m.
