Branko Zorko

Branko Zorko (born July 1, 1967 in Hodošan) is a Croatian middle distance runner, a notable 1500 m competitor in the 1990s. Probably his biggest accomplishment is winning the first international medal for the country of Croatia, winning a bronze medal at the 1992 European Indoor Athletics Championships. His other major sports achievements include:

  • 6th place at the 1989 IAAF World Indoor Championships (3000 m)
  • Bronze medal at the 1992 European Indoor Championships in Athletics
  • Bronze medal at the 1993 IAAF World Indoor Championships
  • Silver medal at the 1994 European Indoor Championships in Athletics
  • Bronze medal at the 1994 European Championships in Athletics
  • 4th place at the 1997 IAAF World Indoor Championships
  • 4th place at the 2002 European Indoor Athletics Championships

By the late 1990s, Zorko was increasingly suffering from injuries, which prompted him to turn to professional pacemaking. As a pacemaker, he assisted in setting several world records, both indoors and outdoors, most notably for Haile Gebrselassie.

Zorko ran 1500 m in five Summer Olympic Games, from 1988 to 2004, making through to the semi-finals in 1992 and 1996.

On July 11, 2005 at IAAF Grand Prix Zagreb, Zorko announced his retirement from competitive running.