Belgium at the 1900 Summer Olympics

Belgium at the 1900 Summer Olympics
IOC code	BEL
NOC	Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee
Website	www.olympic.be (Dutch) (French)
in Paris
Competitors	78 in 11 sports
Medals	Gold Silver Bronze Total 5 5 5 15
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
1900 1904 1908 1912 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016
Other related appearances
1906 Intercalated Games

Belgium competed at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It was the first appearance of the European nation. Belgium was represented in France by 78^[1] athletes, all of them male, who competed in 11 disciplines. They comprised 95 entries in 28 events.

Medalists

Gold

• Emmanuel Foulon — archery, Sur la Perche à la Herse
• Aimé Haegeman — equestrian, jumping
• Hubert Van Innis — archery, Au Cordon Doré 33 metres
• Hubert Van Innis — archery, Au Chapelet 33 metres
• Constant van Langhendonck — equestrian, long jump

Silver

• Emile Druart — archery, Sur la Perche à la Herse
• Hubert Van Innis — archery, Au Cordon Doré 50 metres
• Georges van der Poële — equestrian, jumping
• Royal Club Nautique de Gand — rowing, coxed eights
• Brussels Swimming and Water Polo Club — water polo, men's tournament

Bronze

• Paul van Asbroeck — shooting, three positions military rifle
• Louis Glineux — archery, Sur la Perche à la Pyramide
• Charles Paumier — shooting, standing military rifle
• Georges van der Poële — equestrian, high jump
• Université de Bruxelles — football, men's competition

Results by event

Archery

Belgium took three of six gold medals, two of seven silver medals, and one of five bronze medals in the six archery events that were Olympic. France and the Netherlands were the only other nations that competed, with France taking the remaining twelve medals. Many of the French, Dutch, and Belgian competitors are unknown as their names were not recorded. 4 of the 18 Belgian archers are known by name, 14 are not. The 18 archers had 35 entries over all 6 events.

Croquet

Belgium and France were the only two nations to compete in croquet. Belgium sent one man, who won no medals in the sport. He competed in only one of the three events, not finishing the first round.

Cycling

Belgium's first cycling appearance was at the second Olympic cycling competition, 1900. One cyclist from Belgium competed in one event, winning no medals. Only his surname is known.

Equestrian

Belgium competed in the inaugural Olympic equestrian events, taking 2 of 3 gold medals. The names of 9 Belgian equestrians are unknown.

Fencing

Belgium competed in fencing at the nation's debut. The nation sent five fencers.

Football

Université de Bruxelles represented Belgium in the football competition. The club squad lost its only match, to Club Française, to take third in the three-team competition.

Gymnastics

Belgium's inaugural Olympic appearance included competing in the gymnastics portion of the program.

Rowing

Belgium, through the Royal Club Nautique de Gand, sent coxed pairs and coxed eights boats to the first Olympic rowing competition.

Shooting

Belgium's first Olympic appearance included competing in the shooting events. Belgian shooters competed in the military pistol and military rifle sets of events.

Swimming

Water polo

Notes

1. ↑ This differs from de Wael's count of 84. De Wael counts three water poloists who are not included on the team roster according to the IOC, two equestrians who competed in only non-Olympic events (a third non-Olympic equestrian also competed in croquet), and two unknown coxswains in rowing where there was only one.

References

• De Wael, Herman. Herman's Full Olympians: "1900 Olympians from Belgium". Accessed 11 March 2006. Available electronically at .
• Mallon, Bill (1998). The 1900 Olympic Games, Results for All Competitors in All Events, with Commentary. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 0-7864-0378-0.