Charlie Bazzano

Charlie Bazzano was born near Torino, Italy but his family moved to Australia when he was 3-years-old. From 1944-48 he won seven Australian titles in track sprinting, and was also a seven-time New South Wales champion sprinter. Bazzano was eliminated by Reg Harris in the semi-finals of the sprint at the 1948 Olympic Games, and then lost the bronze medal match to Denmark’s Axel Schandorff. Bazzano also competed at the 1950 British Empire Games, finishing fifth in the sprint.

Bazzano’s father, Jack Bazzano, had started Velox Engineering Works, and Charlie and his brother, Leo, worked for the company tradesmen, manufacturing cycling components. He later coached track cycling, serving as New South Wales coach beginning in 1971.