Track and field icon Ray Cassar Torreggiani dies aged 87

Maltese Athletics has lost one of its icons following the news that Ray Cassar Torreggiani passed away last week at the age of 87.

In his heydays in the 1950’s, Cassar Torreggiani was a top sprinter, having run the 100yards in 9.8seconds, as well as being a prolific long and high jumper.

Later, he qualified as Senior British Amateur Athletics Board coach from Loughborough, the centre of excellence for athletics in the UK.

“Ray was instrumental in introducing new coaching and technical skills into Malta, such as Interval Training, Fartlek, Physiological testing, and several other systems which until then had been virtually unknown in Malta,” Athletics Malta said in a statement.

“He was “part of the furniture” at his beloved St Aloysius College where he ran an Athletics coaching programme for several decades and was also instrumental in initiating the complete upgrade of the state-of-the-art sports facilities.

“He would also be seen at the Marsa Athletics stadium every weekend, coaching, or officiating in athletic meetings together with his wife Geraldine and quoting all the IAAF handbook rules off the top of his head.

“Ray was also founder member of the Allcomers Athletics Club, the Malta Marathon Organising Committee, and had been a member on the MAAA board. He also used to assist the Football referees during their fitness certification tests.”

One of the top athletes Cassar Torreggiani coached was his own son Christian, who was national champion for the 1500m/5000m and national record holder for the Mile, and who represented Malta internationally.