"Nothing can be achieved in life without hard work, sacrifice, insistence and, above all, without believing in yourself…"
- Primo Nebiolo, Founding President, IAF

This was one of Primo Nebiolo's favourite expressions. Nebiolo was both a relentless dreamer and a determined visionary, but he also understood that there was no substitute for plain hard work and sacrifice. That unique mixture of qualities was also the driving force behind Nebiolo's will to create the International Athletic Foundation.

When the late president managed to secure a major endowment from a commercial donor in early 1986, he was determined to establish a charitable organization that would be unique amongst international sports organizations. Indeed, Nebiolo's vision was well ahead of its time as other international federations - and even the International Olympic Committee - followed suit only many years later in creating similar organizations.

The IAAF remains today as one of the few international sports federations in the world that can count on and benefit from a special philanthropic organization dedicated exclusively to helping and promoting the sport, its athletes, administrators, coaches and officials. And while the Foundation is independent from the IAAF, the two organizations and indelibly linked.

Nebiolo's determination as administrator started on the playing fields of his home town of Turin. An avid sportsman in his youth, Nebiolo first gained notoriety as a consistent, national-class long jumper for the University sports club (CUS Torino) where he also occasionally played wing for the club rugby team. Following an interruption of his athletic career by the war, Nebiolo returned to competition continuing to earn several places on the Italian national team for athletics. His sports administration career had its effective beginning while he was still actively competing in athletics when in 1948 he was elected as president of CUS Torino, a position which he proudly held until his death.

Over the years, Nebiolo's distinguished career spanned the entire spectrum of sport administration, whether on a national or international level. His initial concentration on University sport and Athletics led him to a natural role in the Olympic Movement both in Italy and abroad where he was active as an IOC Member and Executive Board Member of the Italian Olympic Committee.

Known for his tireless drive and enthusiasm as a leader and organiser, Nebiolo accumulated a vast experience in the complexities of international relations and world sport, but he remained steadfastly loyal to the Foundation and its mission. He always spoke of the Foundation with pride and enthusiasm, knowing that it was providing a exceptional service to the world athletics movement.

Nebiolo seen discussing with the Honorary Chairman of FIAT, Gianni Agnelli, during a meeting of the IOC 2000 Commission in 1999.

Nebiolo explains to King Juan Carlos I of Spain the then model for the Olympic Stadium in Seville which would later host the greatly successful World Championships in Athletics in 1999.