Livio Berruti

Livio Berruti (19 May 1939 to 9 August 2026) was an Italian sprinter who won the 200 metres at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Born in Turin, he studied chemistry while competing and was noted for always running in dark glasses and white socks. In the Olympic semi-final he equalled the then world record of 20.5 seconds, and he repeated that time in the final to beat the American favourites to the gold medal. His world mark stood until June 1962 and remained a European record until 1964. Over his career he won five individual medals and three more with the national relay team in international competition, and he won 14 Italian national titles, six in the 100 metres and eight in the 200 metres, between 1957 and 1968. He also competed at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics, placing fifth in the 200 metres final in 1964 and reaching the 4 x 100 metres relay final at both Games. He has a tile on the Walk of Fame of Italian sport in Rome.