Joseph Guillemot
Encyclopedia
Joseph Guillemot was a French
athlete, winner of 5000 m at the 1920 Summer Olympics
.
Born in Le Dorat
, France, Joseph Guillemot's lungs were severely damaged by mustard gas, when he fought in World War I
. Also his heart was located on the right hand side of his chest. Despite of this, Guillemot, an athlete of small size (160 cm, 54 kilos), but with extraordinary vital capacity, won his regiment's cross county championships.
In the next year Guillemot won a French Military Championships, followed by his first national championship title in 5000 m in 1920. That qualified him to the Olympic Games
. In Antwerp, the main favourite was Paavo Nurmi
. In the 5000 m final, Nurmi has devised a bold strategy in order to exhaust the dangerous Swedes
Eric Backman
and Runar Falk in the first part of the course. After three laps Nurmi takes the lead and builds more speed and only Guillemot follows him. In a half distance Guillemot still refuses to yield and Nurmi begins to lose heart. On the final curve Guillemot moved to pass Nurmi on the outside and, unaccustomed to final stretch sprinting, Nurmi gives up completely and jogs to the finish line four seconds after the winner has broken the tape.
The 10 000 m final was brought forward by almost three hours by the request of King Albert
. Guillemot heard it after finishing a very large lunch. Fighting with stomach cramps and shoes that were two sizes too big (his own shoes had been stolen), Guillemot had to satisfy with the 10 000 m silver.
After the Olympics, Guillemot won the International Cross Country Championships
in 1922 individually and lead French team to a first place in 1922 and 1926. He won the French Nationals in 5000 m at three occasions, but missed the next Olympics
due the disagreements between him and French Athletics Union. He also held two world record
s: 2000 m (5:34.8) and 3000 m (8:42.2).
Guillemot, a pack a day cigarette smoker, died in Paris
at the age of 75.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
athlete, winner of 5000 m at the 1920 Summer Olympics
1920 Summer Olympics
The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
.
Born in Le Dorat
Le Dorat
Le Dorat is a commune in the Haute-Vienne department in the Limousin region in western France. Inhabitants are known as Dorachons.-Sights:...
, France, Joseph Guillemot's lungs were severely damaged by mustard gas, when he fought in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Also his heart was located on the right hand side of his chest. Despite of this, Guillemot, an athlete of small size (160 cm, 54 kilos), but with extraordinary vital capacity, won his regiment's cross county championships.
In the next year Guillemot won a French Military Championships, followed by his first national championship title in 5000 m in 1920. That qualified him to the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. In Antwerp, the main favourite was Paavo Nurmi
Paavo Nurmi
Paavo Johannes Nurmi was a Finnish runner. Born in Turku, he was known as one of the "Flying Finns," a term given to him, Hannes Kolehmainen, Ville Ritola, and others for their distinction in running...
. In the 5000 m final, Nurmi has devised a bold strategy in order to exhaust the dangerous Swedes
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
Eric Backman
Eric Backman
Eric Backman was a Swedish athlete who competed mainly in the 3000 metre team.He competed for Sweden at the 1920 Summer Olympics held in Antwerp, Belgium where he won the silver medal in the men's cross country behind the legendary Paavo Nurmi...
and Runar Falk in the first part of the course. After three laps Nurmi takes the lead and builds more speed and only Guillemot follows him. In a half distance Guillemot still refuses to yield and Nurmi begins to lose heart. On the final curve Guillemot moved to pass Nurmi on the outside and, unaccustomed to final stretch sprinting, Nurmi gives up completely and jogs to the finish line four seconds after the winner has broken the tape.
The 10 000 m final was brought forward by almost three hours by the request of King Albert
Albert I of Belgium
Albert I reigned as King of the Belgians from 1909 until 1934.-Early life:Born Albert Léopold Clément Marie Meinrad in Brussels, he was the fifth child and second son of Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, and his wife, Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen...
. Guillemot heard it after finishing a very large lunch. Fighting with stomach cramps and shoes that were two sizes too big (his own shoes had been stolen), Guillemot had to satisfy with the 10 000 m silver.
After the Olympics, Guillemot won the International Cross Country Championships
International Cross Country Championships
The International Cross Country Championships was an annual international competition in cross country running. It was created in 1903 by the International Cross Country Union and it marked the first time that an annual international championships had been held for the sport.It began its life as...
in 1922 individually and lead French team to a first place in 1922 and 1926. He won the French Nationals in 5000 m at three occasions, but missed the next Olympics
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
due the disagreements between him and French Athletics Union. He also held two world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
s: 2000 m (5:34.8) and 3000 m (8:42.2).
Guillemot, a pack a day cigarette smoker, died in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
at the age of 75.