Romolo Catasta

Romolo Catasta was born in Vienna because his Roman father Romolo senior, a member of the Circolo Canottieri Aniene, was married to a Viennese woman.

Despite being a member of the CC Aniene in Roma, Catasta´s father became president of the Erster Wiener Ruderclub LIA, one of the oldest rowing clubs in Austria. His presidency lasted until 1939 when, following the Anschluss with Austria becoming part of Germany for all intents and purposes, it was decided that the head of any German club could only be a German national. In the years preceding the World War II, Romolo junior began to practice rowing between Vienna and Roma. He enrolled at university, and it was in the colours of the GUF (Gruppi Universitari Fascisti) that he obtained his first victories when, in 1941, at just 18-years-of-age, he won two Italian skiff titles, one youth and one senior.

Having put his career on hold during the War Catasta then joined the Aniene club and in 1947 became part of the Italian national team for the first time at the Lucerne European Championships, where he came fourth. The following year, having won the Italian skiff title again, he went to the London Olympics where, on the waters of Henley, he reached the single sculls final with the fastest time in the semi-finals. However, his high expectations were not met as he could only win the bronze medal. Catasta moved permanently to Vienna in 1949 and chose to take Austrian citizenship.

Catasta subsequently became Austrian skiff champion three times in the following years and at the 1951 European Championships he failed to podium in a race won by Denmark´s Erik Larsen. After retiring from competitive rowing, Catasta became president of the Wiener Ruderclub from 1964-70 and then again from 1978-82. His son Mario (1954-2022) was also a member of the club. Romolo passed away in Vienna a few days before his 62nd birthday.