Josy Barthel
Encyclopedia
Joseph Barthel (24 April 1927 – 7 July 1992) was a Luxembourg
ish athlete. He was the surprise winner of the Men's 1500 metres
at the 1952 Summer Olympics
, and the only athlete from Luxembourg to have won a gold medal
at the Olympics. Besides athletics, Barthel also led successful careers in both chemistry and politics.
Born in Mamer
, Josy Barthel's abilities as a middle-distance runner
was discovered during World War II
. His first fame came by winning the 800 m at the Military World Championships in Berlin
in 1947. The next year at Military World Championships in Brussels
he won both 800 m and 1500 m.
At the 1948 Summer Olympics
in London
, Barthel finished ninth at the 1500 m final. Then he won Student World Championships in 1949 (1500 m) and 1951 (800 m and 1500 m). The absolute high point of Barthel's career was the 1952 Summer Olympics
, where he surprised the crowd and himself by winning the 1500 m with a very strong finish. He also participated at the 1956 Summer Olympics
, after which he retired from running. He was also Luxembourg champion in 800 m and 1500 m from 1946 to 1956.
In 1962 Barthel became the president of the Luxembourg Athletics Federation
, then from 1973 to 1977 he was the president of the Luxembourgish Olympic and Sporting Committee. He was also member of the Luxembourg government.
Josy Barthel died in Luxembourg City
after a severe illness.
The national stadium of Luxembourg, home to the Luxembourg national football team
, was named Stade Josy Barthel
in his honor. The Lycée Technique Josy Barthel
in Mamer also bears his name.
In 2006, Barthel was accused of doping
by sports journalist Erik Eggers in the German
newspaper Der Tagesspiegel
. Eggers cited German physician Oskar Wegener who did research on methamphetamine
and other doping substances in the 1950s. Wegener strongly denied saying Barthel had any connection with doping. The use of such substances was neither prohibited nor controlled until the 1960s.
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Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
ish athlete. He was the surprise winner of the Men's 1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
at the 1952 Summer Olympics
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
, and the only athlete from Luxembourg to have won a gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
at the Olympics. Besides athletics, Barthel also led successful careers in both chemistry and politics.
Born in Mamer
Mamer
Mamer is a commune and town in south-western Luxembourg. It is located west of Luxembourg City. The commune includes the town of Mamer, and also the smaller communities of Capellen and Holzem. Mamer is situated on the river Mamer, a tributary of the Alzette...
, Josy Barthel's abilities as a middle-distance runner
Middle distance track event
Middle distance running events are track races longer than sprints, up to 3000 metres. The standard middle distances are the 800 metres, 1500 metres and mile run, although the 3000 metres may also be classified as a middle distance event. The 880 yard run, or half mile, was the forebear to the...
was discovered during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. His first fame came by winning the 800 m at the Military World Championships in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
in 1947. The next year at Military World Championships in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
he won both 800 m and 1500 m.
At the 1948 Summer Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Barthel finished ninth at the 1500 m final. Then he won Student World Championships in 1949 (1500 m) and 1951 (800 m and 1500 m). The absolute high point of Barthel's career was the 1952 Summer Olympics
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
, where he surprised the crowd and himself by winning the 1500 m with a very strong finish. He also participated at the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
, after which he retired from running. He was also Luxembourg champion in 800 m and 1500 m from 1946 to 1956.
In 1962 Barthel became the president of the Luxembourg Athletics Federation
Luxembourg Athletics Federation
The Luxembourg Athletics Federation , abbreviated to FLA, is the governing body for the sport of athletics in Luxembourg. It was founded on 11 November 1928, replacing the Federation of Luxembourgian Athletic Sports Societies .-List of presidents:...
, then from 1973 to 1977 he was the president of the Luxembourgish Olympic and Sporting Committee. He was also member of the Luxembourg government.
Josy Barthel died in Luxembourg City
Luxembourg (city)
The city of Luxembourg , also known as Luxembourg City , is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers in southern Luxembourg...
after a severe illness.
The national stadium of Luxembourg, home to the Luxembourg national football team
Luxembourg national football team
The Luxembourg national football team is the national football team of Luxembourg, and is controlled by the Luxembourg Football Federation. The team play most of their home matches at the Stade Josy Barthel, in Luxembourg.- History :...
, was named Stade Josy Barthel
Stade Josy Barthel
Stade Josy Barthel is the national stadium of Luxembourg, home to the Luxembourg national football team and also used for athletics. It is located on route d'Arlon, in Luxembourg City.It was first constructed in 1928 and it was entirely rebuilt in 1990...
in his honor. The Lycée Technique Josy Barthel
Lycée Technique Josy Barthel
Lycée Josy Barthel , abbreviated to LJBM, is a high school in Mamer, in south-western Luxembourg. It was opened in September 2003, and cost €67.4m to build. It comprises 60 classrooms and 16 workshops, and has a capacity of 1,300 students...
in Mamer also bears his name.
In 2006, Barthel was accused of doping
Doping (sport)
The use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport is commonly referred to by the term "doping", particularly by those organizations that regulate competitions. The use of performance enhancing drugs is mostly done to improve athletic performance. This is why many sports ban the use of performance...
by sports journalist Erik Eggers in the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
newspaper Der Tagesspiegel
Der Tagesspiegel
Der Tagesspiegel is a classical liberal German daily newspaper...
. Eggers cited German physician Oskar Wegener who did research on methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
and other doping substances in the 1950s. Wegener strongly denied saying Barthel had any connection with doping. The use of such substances was neither prohibited nor controlled until the 1960s.
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