Rome, May 26 (IANS): Italian Paralympic gold medalist Carlo Durante, a blind marathon runner, has passed away at the age of 73.

Born in Volpago del Montello, Durante was a star distance runner, with his top discpline being the marathon. Competing in the vision impaired category, the Italian won gold at the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona and captured silver at Atlanta 1996 and bronze at Sydney 2000.

Durante's talents were noticed when he claimed first place at the 1994 World Championships in Berlin in addition to the gold medals at the European Championships in 1991, 1993 and 1997.

Durante attended more than 70 marathons worldwide. Suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, he completely lost his vision at 40.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP) have paid tributes to the star distance runner who passed away on Sunday.

"A giant of Italian sport passes away, a star of the Italian Paralympic Committee," Italian Paralympic Committee President and IPC Governing Board Member Luca Pancalli said.

"I am saddened by the death of Carlo Durante. In addition to being a champion, Carlo was a point of reference for our movement, also for the promotion of sport for all. I take this opportunity to express my condolences and that of CIP to his family and loved ones."