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The Athletics Illustrated Person of the Week honour for the week of June 22, 2020, is awarded to Svein Arne Hansen. Hansen passed away at his home in Oslo, Norway last week. He dedicated over 50 years of his life to the sport of athletics including running the Bislett Games.

Svein Arne Hansen, the European Athletics president died at his home in Oslo, Norway Saturday at age 74.

He had suffered a stroke in March this year, which he had not recovered from.

Born in 1946, Hansen began his professional sports career as a member of the Norwegian Athletics Federation Junior Committee in 1968. He was then an assistant meet director for the Bislett Games starting in 1973 to 1984 before the director for 24 years starting in 1985.

Hansen was a member of the IAAF Grand Prix Commission as well as the International Association of Athletics Federations Golden League and was president of EuroMeetings. He also served with the Norwegian Athletics Federation as vice-president and then later president.

European Athletics Interim President Dobromir Karamarinov said, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Svein Arne today. He was a great leader.”

The Athletics Illustrated Person of the Week recognition is an endeavour that aims to recognise noteworthy or newsworthy achievements, actions, or events in the sport of athletics by individuals who are involved or have affected the sport in some way.

The weekly decision will be the discretion of Athletics Illustrated, however, input from readers is welcome.

At the end of each year, the Person of the Week honours will be reviewed and featured along with a Person of the Year recognition taken from the list of weekly honours.

If you feel someone should be recognised, please register, login, and provide the person’s name and reason.

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