Joseph Guillemot

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Joseph Guillemot 1920

Joseph Guillemot (born October 1, 1899 in Le Dorat , † March 9, 1975 in Paris ) was a French athlete and 1920 Olympic champion over 5000 meters at the Summer Olympics in Antwerp .

Fighting in World War I, Joseph Guillemot severely damaged his lungs from mustard gas poisoning. Due to an abnormality, his heart was on the right side of his chest. Guillemot was a short stature athlete. He was only 160 centimeters and weighed 54 kilograms, but he was extraordinarily capable. He won the regimental cross championships in military service, followed by his first French military championship. In 1920 he won his first national championship title over 5000 meters, which earned him qualification for the Olympic Games.

In Antwerp , Paavo Nurmi was the darling of the masses. In the 5000 meter final Nurmi had planned her own strategy to tire the dangerous Swedes Eric Backman and Runar Falk in the first part of the race. After three laps Nurmi took the lead and increased the speed increasingly. Only Guillemot could follow. Halfway through the race, Guillemot refused to take the lead and Nurmi began to lose courage. On the last lap in the finish curve, Guillemot spurted Nurmi on the outside lane. Nurmi - completely demoralized - lost another 4 seconds to the outstanding winner Guillemot until the finish.

The 10,000 meter final began after a speech by King Albert that lasted almost three hours. Guillemot had eaten a lot before the race. With stomach cramps fighting and with too big racing shoes (his own shoes had been stolen him), had to be content with silver Guillemot.

After the Olympics, Guillemot won the Cross of Nations (forerunner of today's World Cup) in individual races in 1922 and led France to victory in team competition in both 1922 and 1926. He won the French 5000 meter championships on three occasions but missed the subsequent Olympics because of disagreements between himself and the French Athletics Federation.

He also held two world records: 2000 m (5.34.8) and 3000 m (8.42.2).

Guillemot, who smoked a packet of cigarettes a day, died in Paris at the age of 75.

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personal data
SURNAME Guillemot, Joseph
BRIEF DESCRIPTION French athlete
DATE OF BIRTH October 1, 1899
PLACE OF BIRTH Le Dorat
DATE OF DEATH March 9, 1975
Place of death Paris