Emile De Beukelaer

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Emile De Beukelaer (1920)
After De Beukelaer's death, this trophy was donated to the best amateur club in Belgium with his name.

Emile De Beukelaer (born May 27, 1867 in Antwerp ; † January 23, 1922 there ) was a Belgian cyclist , cycling official, co-founder and first president of the UCI World Cycling Federation .

Emile De Beukelaer was a son from a good family; his father had founded the liqueur company "Elixir d'Anvers". In the 1880s, he was one of the best racing cyclists in Belgium, at that time still on the high-bike . After becoming six-time Belgian and three-time Dutch champions, he retired from active cycling at the age of 22. The father wanted to go into politics, and Emile De Beukelaer had to look after the company together with his brother.

De Beukelaer remained connected to cycling as an association official. He became chairman of the sports commission of the Belgian cycling federation and, as such, effectively ensured the unification of competition rules. He got involved in the construction of the Zurenborg cycle track in Antwerp, where two world championships were held in 1905 and 1920 .

When the UCI was founded in Paris in 1900 , he was elected its first president. He remained in this office until his death.

De Beukelaer was also otherwise interested in sports: He was active as a car racing driver, was involved in equestrian sports (at the time of his death he owned six racehorses) and in aviation. The First World War broke his courage to live because he saw his life's work destroyed. He died of flu at the age of 56.

literature

  • Herman Laitem, Jozef Hamels: De Tricolore Trui. 1882-2007. 125 Jaar Belgian Campaign Schappen. Pinguin Productions u. a., Balegem et al. a. 2008, ISBN 978-90-73322-21-9 , pp. 15f.

Web links

Commons : Emile De Beukelaer  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The company still exists today: Official website of FX De Beukelaer
  2. ↑ a b Laitem / Hamels, De Tricolore Trui , p. 15.
personal data
SURNAME De Beukelaer, Emile
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Belgian cyclist
DATE OF BIRTH May 27, 1867
PLACE OF BIRTH Antwerp
DATE OF DEATH January 23, 1922
Place of death Antwerp