News12 Jan 2001


IAAF President offers condolences to family of Brazilian Champion Ferreira da Silva

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Adhemar Ferreira da Silva jumping in Helsinki (© Getty Images)

The President of the IAAF, Lamine Diack, has expressed his heartfelt condolences on learning of the death, at the age of 73, of the great Brazilian triple jumper Adhemar Ferreira da Silva.

"Adhemar Ferreira da Silva was one of the greatest athletes ever produced by Brazil," said Diack on learning of the death of this great champion.

"Not only was he a wonderful athlete, but also a very humane and charming man, who was a great credit to his country and to our sport. My deepest sympathy and respect go to his family and to the Brazilian Federation on this sad loss."

Ferreira da Silva was the only Brazilian ever to win two consecutive Olympic titles in athletics (in 1952 and 1956) and completely dominated his chosen event during the 1950s, setting four world records and winning three titles in the Pan-American Games, in addition to his Olympic titles.

He set his first record (16.00) at Sao Paolo in 1950, when he equalled the 14 year old record of Nauto Tajima, going on to better the record in 1951, and his last record at the Pan-American Games in Mexico City in 1955, with a bound of 16.56 metres.

IAAF

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