European Athletics President Hansen Dies Aged 74

European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen, who suffered a stroke in March, has passed away at the age of 74.

Hansen died at his home in Oslo in Norway today after failing to recover from the stroke, which he suffered at home earlier this year.

Hansen, who was born on May 6 1946, was a stamp dealer by profession and started his career in sports administration as a member of the Norwegian Athletics Federation Junior Committee, which he served on from 1968 to 1972.

The Norwegian was assistant meeting director of the Bislett Games from 1973 to 1984 before moving up to the role as meeting director of the iconic event, one which he held for 24 years.

Hansen was a member of the IAAF Grand Prix Commission from 1985 to 1998 and a member of the International Association of Athletics Federations Golden League working group between 1997 and 2009.

He also served as President of EuroMeetings between 1998 and 2006.

Hansen had a long association with the Norwegian Athletics Federation serving as vice-president from 2001 to 2003 before moving up to the role of President, which he held between 2003 and 2015.

Before being elected as President of European Athletics in 2015, when he succeeded Hansjorg Wirz, Hansen was the vice-president of the organisation between 2007 and 2011, a member of its Executive Board and the chairman of the European Athletics Development Committee during that period.