1. Marcello Fiasconaro married Mabel Marie, a South African woman from Pietermaritzburg, and settled in Cape Town, where he was appointed professor of music at the University of Cape Town.
17 Facts About Marcello Fiasconaro
1. 2.
Marcello Fiasconaro completed his schooling career at Rondebosch Boys' High School in 1967.
3.
Marcello Fiasconaro only switched to athletics at the age of 20.
4.
Marcello Fiasconaro discovered his running talent after the president of the Celtic Harriers Running Club at the time, Stewart Banner, suggested that the rugby team train with his runners to get fit.
5.
In 1970 Marcello Fiasconaro won the 400 m at an athletics meeting in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
6.
Marcello Fiasconaro's feat attracted the attention of Italian discus thrower Carmelo Rado, who asked about Fiasconaro's citizenship.
7.
Marcello Fiasconaro was invited to participate in Italy, where he set a new Italian record of 45.7 seconds over the 400 metres, winning the title of Italian Champion at this distance.
8.
Marcello Fiasconaro started living in Italy for six months of each year to race for the Italian Athletics Federation.
9.
In 1971, Marcello Fiasconaro won a silver medal in the 400 metres at the European Championship in Helsinki.
10.
In 1973 Marcello Fiasconaro broke the Italian 800 m record five times, and won the South African Championships over the same distance at Potchefstroom.
11.
Marcello Fiasconaro was a favourite to win the 800 metre at the 1974 European Championships in Rome.
12.
In 1974, Marcello Fiasconaro participated in 800 metres in the Sunkist Invitational Indoor Track Meet in Los Angeles.
13.
The most outstanding moment in Marcello Fiasconaro's career came in the evening of 27 June 1973, in Milan.
14.
On his return to South Africa, Marcello Fiasconaro went on 10-day partying spree.
15.
Marcello Fiasconaro paid the toll for his overindulgence when he was easily beaten in the United States soon afterwards.
16.
Marcello Fiasconaro returned to play rugby union in Italy in 1976, playing with CUS Milan for two seasons.
17.
Marcello Fiasconaro won 5 national championships at individual senior level.