Luciano Sušanj

Following a successful athletics career, Luciano Sušanj was elected to the Croatian Parliament and served in several high-ranking sports administration roles. After winning several national junior titles Sušanj became the Yugoslav and Balkan champion in the 400 metres in 1969. At the 1971 Mediterranean Games he won bronze in the 400 metres, earning himself a spot at the 1972 München Olympics, although he did not start at the Games. By 1973 his focus had moved to the 800 metres, with him becoming the Yugoslav and Balkan champion in the longer event. That same year he won his first gold at the European Indoor Championships when he won the 400 metres in Rotterdam. In 1974 Sušanj did the European double in the 800 metres, winning the outdoor title in Roma and the indoor title in Göteborg. He took a short break from sport to raise his family, but returned to run in the 800 metres at the 1976 Montréal Olympics where he finished sixth.

In 1990 Sušanj entered politics with him winning a seat in the Croatian Parliament and serving as an MP until 1992. He also served as the deputy-mayor of Rijeka and the President of the minor political party the Alliance of Primorje-Gorski Kotar. Sušanj was once again elected to the Croatian Parliament in 2000, becoming the President of the Croatian Athletics Federation, and serving as the Vice-President of the Croatian Olympic Committee. In 2002 he ran for the presidency of the Croatian Olympic Committee but lost out to Zlatko Mateša. The same year Sušanj was named as the best Croatian male track and field athlete of all-time by the Croatian Athletics Federation.

Personal Best: 800 – 1:44.07 (1974).