Gold medalist in Rome 1960, silver in Tokyo 1964—the world of sports mourns the passing of Franco Testa, an extraordinary cyclist born in Padua on February 7, 1938, who has died at the age of 87. The news was announced in an official statement by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

The Venetian athlete, known for his wit, honesty, and infectious enthusiasm, was one of the four key figures (alongside Marino Vigna, Luigi Arienti, and Mario Vallotto) in Italy’s triumphant Olympic victory on home soil in the team pursuit on the track. The Azzurri clinched gold with a sensational time of 4:30.90, defeating Germany in the final.

Four years later, in Japan, Testa narrowly missed a second gold in the same event, taking silver with teammates Vincenzo Mantovani, Carlo Rancati, and Luigi Roncaglia. It was his second Olympic medal in a remarkable sporting career.

He also claimed a silver medal at the 1964 World Championships in Paris, teaming up with Attilio Benfatto, Mantovani, and Rancati once again. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collar for Sporting Merit) by CONI in 2015—the highest honor in Italian sport—for his Olympic success in Rome.

“On behalf of the entire Italian sporting community,” reads the statement, “CONI President Giovanni Malagò extends his deepest condolences to the family and to the Italian Cycling Federation.”