Giancarlo Peris

Biographical information

RolesOther
SexMale
Full nameGiancarlo•Peris
Used nameGiancarlo•Peris
Born4 November 1941 in Civitavecchia, Roma (ITA)
NOC Italy

Biography

Giancarlo Peris was an Italian athlete and the final bearer of the Olympic torch during the relay at the Roma 1960 Summer Olympics. When the Games at Roma were held, Peris was in his third year in high school and was a middle-distance runner who had set an Italian student record in the 1,500 metres before the Olympics. Too young to participate as an athlete at the Games, the Italian government chose him as a last torchbearer because Italy had not overcome the shadow of World War II.

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) decided that the last torchbearer would be the winner of a running race (athletes aged 18-19) and Peris won. For him to carry the Olympic torch for three minutes for about 400 metres and up the 92 steps was an unforgettable experience.

Peris continued to be engaged in sports for a few years after the Roma Olympics. He set an Italian record in the men’s 4 x 1,500 metres relay. From 1963, after his leg was injured in an accident, he ended his career and turned to education, teaching Italian and history in his hometown.

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1960 Summer Olympics Other ITA Giancarlo Peris

Special Notes