Josy Barthel

Luxembourg's sole Olympic gold medallist in history. He contested three Olympic Games as winning 1500 metres final in 1952 Helsinki for created history to his tiny homeland.

He won world titles amongst the military athletes in 1947 and entered London Olympics. He made the final in 1500 metres and finished ninth (some sources cited him on 10th place) at Wembley Stadium. Barthel continued his progress after London Games and won three World Students Games golds in middle distances. Josy Barthel entered 1500 metres in Helsinki Games as underdog. He won gold medal in very close race 3:45.2 by breaking Olympic record (later adjusted to 3:45.28). That gold medal is still standing for Luxembourg's sole Olympic glory at The Games history. Unfortunately, the stadium orchestra could not able to play his national anthem in ceremony due to they not have the score of it!

After the Olympics, he lowered 1500m personal best to 3:44.1 in a Luxembourg event, stood as world number two in 1952 list behind German Werner Lueg. Josy Barthel retired after his third Olympic appearance in Melbourne, where he finished 10th in 1500 metres semi-final. He won a total 20 national titles in 800 and 1500 metres.

PERSONAL BEST
800m: 1:51.0 (Luxembourg 1947)
1000m: 2:23.1 (Luxembourg 1956)
1500m: 3:44.1 (Luxembourg 1952)
2000m: 5:18.0 (Luxembourg 1956)
Mile: 4:06.3 (Massachusetts 1954)

TRIVIA
♦ Graduated from Athenee de Luxembourg, oldest historic high school in Luxembourg City.
♦ He served as Luxembourg Athletics Federation for ten years (1962-72).
♦ Barthel selected as president for Luxembourg Olympic Committee from 1973 to 1977.
♦ He selected Luxembourg Parliament in 1974 from center-right oriented Democratic Party. Appointed as minister for Energy, Transport and Environment between 1977-84.
♦ His frame: 1.73m / 68 kg.
♦ Luxembourg national stadium named after him as Josy Barthel Stadium.


Text by Athleticspodium.com