Ottavio Missoni

Ottavio Missoni was born in Ragusa on the Dalmatian coast and grew up in Zara (Zadar). In his youth Ottavio was an accomplished track star. At the age of sixteen he won the 400-meter race at the Arena in Milan, beating Robinson the American record holder, and was recruited by the National Athletics Team for Italy. Ottavio was then drafted in 1942 as soldier during the Second World War. He was captured and imprisoned in Egypt until 1946. After his service to the army Ottavio’s interest in sports led him to create a line of wool track suits, which were later adopted as the official uniform of the Italian Athletics Team at the London Olympic Games 1948. At the London Olympics, Ottavio met his future wife... more.