Svein Arne Hansen: European Athletics president dies aged 74

Hansen was described as a "great leader" and "visionary" of athletics
Getty Images for European Athlet
Tom Doyle20 June 2020

Svein Arne Hansen, the European Athletics president, has died at the age of 74.

Hansen, who was first elected president in 2015, died in Oslo after failing to recover from a stroke he had suffered in March.

European Athletics interim president Dobromir Karamarinov said: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Svein Arne today.

"He was a great leader, a visionary for our sport and a charismatic personality within the athletics family.

"He was much loved by all those who knew him well and above all he was a friend of the athletes. We have lost a great man."

Hansen, a former longtime organiser of the successful track and field Bislett Games in Norway, also played a key role in establishing the European sports championships, a continental multisports event where federations are also stakeholders.

Additional reporting by PA and Reuters.

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