Amadeo Francis (© Getty Images)
World Athletics is deeply saddened to hear that Amadeo Francis, a former Vice President of World Athletics, died on Sunday (25) at the age of 92.
Born in the Virgin Islands in October 1931, Francis made Puerto Rico his home and represented that country internationally in the 400m hurdles, competing at the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games.
Francis served as President of NACAC for 20 years and was instrumental in the establishment of the Pan American Athletics Commission, serving the quadrennial Pan American Games.
He worked assiduously with CONSUDATLE’s long-serving President, Roberto Gesta de Melo of Brazil, and ensured that support was given to the innovative Pan American Junior Athletics Championships, the brainchild of Canada’s Cecil Smith, to render the biennial event sustainable.
He joined the World Athletics (then IAAF) Council in 1976 and became Vice President in 1999, serving in that role until 2007. He was awarded the IAAF Golden Order of Merit in 2007 in recognition of a lifetime’s dedication to the sport of athletics.
A noted economist, Francis held many positions in the government structure of Puerto Rico.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Amadeo Francis, a dear friend and trusted colleague who dedicated a major part of his life to athletics – from supporting new events such as the Pan American Junior Athletics Championships to serving at the higher echelons of our sport as a longtime Council member and Vice President.
“On behalf of World Athletics, I send our deepest condolences to his friends and family. He was a trailblazer in our sport and leaves behind an important legacy.”
World Athletics