Carlo Lievore

Carlo Lievore is the only Italian to have set a world record in the javelin, which he did on 1 June 1961 in Milano with a throw of 86.74. Lievore learned to throw from his older brother Giovanni, who was sixth at the 1956 Melbourne Games in the same event. Both brothers competed at the 1958 European Championships in Stockholm: Giovanni was eighth while Carlo finished 11th. Giovanni was the first Italian to surpass 80 metres, with 80.72 at an event in Roma in October 1958. Carlo followed his brother as Italian record holder in 1960 (Moskva, 3 July, with 81.14), and later that year reached 83.60. Carlo’s hopes for the 1960 Roma Olympics were dashed by an injury three weeks before the Games began, as he finished ninth.

Carlo Lievore led the qualifying round at the 1962 European Championships but slipped back in the final, placing sixth. At the 1964 Olympics he failed to make the final. His last victory was at the 1969 Italian Championships, his sixth. From 1956-71 he earned 42 international caps. Lievore married the non-Olympian hurdler Luciana Sommavilla (3 international caps in 1962-63), but he died at only 65 from throat cancer.

Personal Best: JT – 86.74 (1961).