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News27 Jan 2008


Race Walking pioneer Armando Libotte passes away

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The IAAF has learnt the sad news that at the age of 90 years, Armando Libotte (SUI), a distinguished IAAF International Race Walking Judge, has passed away.

Libotte was a famous walker before the First World War, and a well known sports journalist. For many years he was also the leader of the SAL Lugano, the club which organized some famous Race Walking events inside the Swiss Canton of Ticino.

Along with others in Lugano, such as Mr. Mercalli, Libotte came up with the idea of an international Race Walking competition for national teams, and so the Lugano Trophy race was born in 1961. Then only for men’s teams, it was eventually combined with a women's competition, the Eschborn Cup (est. 1979), and so what we know today as the IAAF World Race Walking Cup was established.

Funeral ceremony took place on 22 January 2008 in Lugano.

IAAF

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