Award-winning Slovenian Olympian celebrates 100th birthday

30 | 4 | 2020

Marko Racic OLY, a true ambassador of the Olympic values and someone who has spent a lifetime dedicated to sport, celebrated his 100^th birthday last Saturday.

Marko enjoyed a successful career, competing at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London in 400 Metres and made appearances at the 1946 and 1950 European Athletics Championships. He also set numerous national records throughout his career.

After retiring, Marko’s commitment and passion for athletics remained as strong as ever. In 1960, he became coach of the Slovenian women's national athletic team, later becoming an international athletics judge, an amateur sports administrator and was an active member of the Organising Committees for the 1979 Mediterranean Games in Split and the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.

Marko’s efforts were recognised in 1997 when he became the only Slovenian to receive the Golden Pin of the European Athletics Association, which is awarded to those deemed to have given special service to the development of athletics. In 2007, he deservedly garnered recognition from the International Olympic Committee and was awarded the trophy for ‘Sport and Promotion of Olympism’.

The Slovenian Olympians Association had planned to mark this special occasion with a gala celebration in Marko’s honour, however, the event had to be postponed due to the current situation. 

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