European Athletics is very saddened to learn of the death of Croatian 400/800m great Luciano Susanj at the age of 75 on Sunday (14).
Susanj’s greatest triumph came at the 1974 European Athletics Championships in Rome where he accelerated away from the field pver the last 150 metres for victory in the Stadio Olimpico in the colours of Yugoslavia in 1:44.07, the third fastest 800m time in history back in 1974.
His winning time remains the second fastest winning time in European Athletics Championships history and is still intact as the Croatian 800m record almost 50 years later.
Susanj also won the 400m at the 1973 European Indoor Championships and the 800m title the following year at the 1974 European Indoor Championships. He also won a brace of regional titles, including 12 Balkan titles across the 400m, 800m and 4x400m relay.
Susanj remained active in athletics after his competitive career ended in 1976. He was a member of the European Athletics Council from 1987 to 1991, served as the President of the Croatian Athletics Federation between 2000-2014 as well as Vice President of the Croatian Olympic Committee.
European Athletics sends its deepest condolences to Susanj’s family and friends as well as the Croatian athletics community.