Dan Bertoia Explained

Birth Name:Daniel Bertoia
Birth Date:16 April 1969
Sport:Athletics
Event:Middle-distance running

Daniel Bertoia (born April 16, 1969) is a Canadian former athlete who competed in middle-distance running.

Bertoia is the son of 1963 Pan American Games 800 m champion and 1964 Olympian Don Bertoia, who began coaching him in grade eight. He earned NAIA All-American honours while attending Simon Fraser University and set a long-standing Clan record in the 1,500 m of 3:41.5.[1]

Trained at the Kelowna Track and Field Club, Bertoia specialised in 800 m and 1,500 m races. He became Canada's first athletics medalist at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, when he claimed a bronze medal in the 1,500 m, having led the race in the final lap until being passed by José Valente and Bill Burke. His time of 3:43.71 was 11 seconds faster than his father's bronze medal-winning run in the same event at the 1963 Pan American Games.[2]

Bertoia was inducted into the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.[3]

Notes and References

  1. News: Running in family . . September 29, 1989.
  2. News: Bertoia bronze continues family tradition . . August 6, 1991.
  3. News: Hall of Fame: Caps' CEO joins gala event . . November 18, 2011 . en.