ROME, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Italian Paralympic gold medalist Carlo Durante, a blind marathon runner, passed away on Sunday at the age of 73.
During his career, he won three Paralympic medals, including a gold in the B1 marathon race at Barcelona 1992. He also claimed three European championship titles and won the World Championships gold in 1994.
Durante attended more than 70 marathons worldwide. Suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, he completely lost his vision at 40.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and The Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP) have paid tributes to this star distance runner on their official websites.
"A giant of Italian sport passes away, a star of the Italian Paralympic Committee," Italian Paralympic Committee President and IPC Governing Board Member Luca Pancalli said.
"I am saddened by the death of Carlo Durante. In addition to being a champion, Carlo was a point of reference for our movement, also for the promotion of sport for all. I take this opportunity to express my condolences and that of CIP to his family and loved ones." Enditem
