Naples – Davide Tizzano, president of the Italian Rowing Federation and a two-time Olympic champion, passed away this afternoon at his home in Naples. He was 57 and had been battling a serious illness for some time.
The news of his passing was announced by the Rowing Federation with a statement that remembered his "extraordinary strength and determination," qualities that led him to win two Olympic gold medals: the first in Seoul 1988 in the quad sculls, the second in Atlanta 1996 in the doubles.
His high-level sporting career also intertwined with sailing. Tizzano participated in two editions of the America's Cup, winning the Louis Vuitton Cup in 1992 in San Diego with Paul Cayard and then aboard Mascalzone Latino in the 2007 edition in Valencia.
After returning from international waters, Tizzano dedicated his life to sports management. President of the Campania Regional Committee from 2001 to 2012, he held the positions of Vice President and Federal Councilor, until his appointment as President of the Rowing Federation on November 24, 2024. Since 2014, he had directed the "Bruno Zauli" Olympic Training Center in Formia.
His commitment went beyond national borders: since 2021 he has presided over the International Confederation of Mediterranean Games.
"The Federal Council, deeply moved... extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of President and friend Davide in this moment of profound sadness and mourns the loss of an extraordinary figure who contributed so much to the growth of Italian rowing and the sport at both a national and international level," the official statement reads.
Tizzano leaves behind his wife Roberta and his children Rosanna, Vittoria, and Giuseppe Leone. "His light will never go out and will always guide his children," the federation added.
The funeral will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, December 30, at 5:00 PM, in the Basilica dell'Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio in Naples.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
The death of Davide Tizzano is a great loss for rowing, but also for the sport in general. I followed his career, and his victories were always moving. Let us remember him fondly.