Marcello Fiasconaro

Marcello Fiasconaro ( born July 19, 1949 in Cape Town, South Africa ) is a retired Italian sprinter and middle-distance runner.

He began in his youth with rugby, before he turned to athletics. The European Athletics Championships 1971 in Helsinki, he won the 400m silver and with the Italian team bronze in the 4 x 400 - meter relay.

On 27 June 1973, he ran the 800 meters in 1:43,7 min and remained thus became the first man under 1:44 min. This world record was also the last handgestoppte.

In 1974 he was at the European Championships in Rome sixth over 800 m.

After a series of injuries ended his running career. After several years with the Italian rugby team, he returned to South Africa.

From 1971 to 1973, he was three times in a row Italian masters. In the hall he won the 1972 national title in the 400m and 1975 more than 800 m.

Personal best

• 400 m: 45.49 s, August 13, 1971, Helsinki Halle: 46.1 s, March 15, 1972, Genoa