Belgium

Belgium

Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

competed at the 1900 Summer Olympics

1900 Summer Olympics

The 1900 Summer Olympics, today officially known as the Games of the II Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1900 in Paris, France. No opening or closing ceremonies were held; competitions began on May 14 and ended on October 28. The Games were held as part of...

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...

, France

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...

.
It was the first appearance of the European nation. Belgium was represented in France by 78 athletes, all of them male, who competed in 11 disciplines. They comprised 95 entries in 28 events.

Gold

• Emmanuel Foulon
  Emmanuel Foulon
  Emmanuel Foulon was a Belgian competitor in the sport of archery. Foulon competed in one event, winning the Sur la Perche à la Herse. He is now considered by the International Olympic Committee to have won a gold medal...
  
   — archery, Sur la Perche à la Herse
• Aimé Haegeman
  Aimé Haegeman
  Aimé Haegeman was a Belgian horse rider who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris he won the gold medal in the jumping event.-External links:*...
  
   — equestrian, jumping
• Hubert Van Innis
  Hubert Van Innis
  Hubert van Innis was a Belgian competitor in the sport of archery. Van Innis competed in four events and won two first prizes and a second prize, and is now considered by the International Olympic Committee to have won two gold medals and a silver medal...
  
   — archery, Au Cordon Doré 33 metres
• Hubert Van Innis — archery, Au Chapelet 33 metres
• Constant van Langhendonck
  Constant van Langhendonck
  Constant Octave van Langhendonck was a Belgian horse rider who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris he won the gold medal in the long jumping event.-External links:*...
  
   — equestrian, long jump

Silver

• Emile Druart
  Emile Druart
  Emile Druart was a Belgian competitor in the sport of archery. Druart competed in one event, taking second place in the Sur la Perche à la Herse competition. He is now considered by the International Olympic Committee to have won a silver medal...
  
   — 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
  Royal Club Nautique de Gand
  Royal Club Nautique de Gand...
  
   — rowing, coxed eights
• Brussels Swimming and Water Polo Club — water polo, men's tournament

Bronze

• Paul van Asbroeck
  Paul Van Asbroeck
  Paul Van Asbroeck was a Belgian sports shooter who competed in the early 20th century in rifle and pistol shooting. He competed at the 1900 Olympics in Paris and won a bronze medal in the military rifle 3 positions category...
  
   — shooting, three positions military rifle
• Louis Glineux
  Louis Glineux
  Louis Glineur was a Belgian competitor in the sport of archery. Glineux competed in one event, taking third place in the Sur la Perche à la Pyramide competition. He is now considered by the International Olympic Committee to have won a bronze medal...
  
   — archery, Sur la Perche à la Pyramide
• Charles Paumier
  Charles Paumier
  Charles Paumier du Verger was a Belgian sports shooter who competed in the early 20th century in rifle shooting. He participated in Shooting at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris and won a bronze medal in the military rifle standing category....
  
   — shooting, standing military rifle
• Georges van der Poële — equestrian, high jump
• Université de Bruxelles — football, men's competition

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

France at the 1900 Summer Olympics

France was the host of the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. France was one of many nations that had competed in the 1896 Summer Olympics in Greece and had returned to compete at the 1900 Games....

 and the Netherlands

Netherlands at the 1900 Summer Olympics

The Netherlands first competed at the Summer Olympic Games at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.- Bronze:* Minerva Amsterdam — rowing, coxed eights* Johannes Drost — swimming, 200 metre backstroke...

 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.

Event	Place	Archer	Score
Au Cordon Doré 50 metres	2nd	Hubert Van Innis Hubert Van Innis Hubert van Innis was a Belgian competitor in the sport of archery. Van Innis competed in four events and won two first prizes and a second prize, and is now considered by the International Olympic Committee to have won two gold medals and a silver medal...	29
Au Cordon Doré 33 metres	1st	Hubert Van Innis	Unknown
Au Chapelet 50 metres	4th	Hubert Van Innis	Unknown
Au Chapelet 33 metres	1st	Hubert Van Innis	Unknown
Sur la Perche à la Herse	1st	Emmanuel Foulon Emmanuel Foulon Emmanuel Foulon was a Belgian competitor in the sport of archery. Foulon competed in one event, winning the Sur la Perche à la Herse. He is now considered by the International Olympic Committee to have won a gold medal...	Unknown
	2nd	Emile Druart Emile Druart Emile Druart was a Belgian competitor in the sport of archery. Druart competed in one event, taking second place in the Sur la Perche à la Herse competition. He is now considered by the International Olympic Committee to have won a silver medal...
	4-129	14 unknown competitors
Sur la Perche à la Pyramide	3rd	Louis Glineux Louis Glineux Louis Glineur was a Belgian competitor in the sport of archery. Glineux competed in one event, taking third place in the Sur la Perche à la Pyramide competition. He is now considered by the International Olympic Committee to have won a bronze medal...	Unknown
	4-129	14 unknown competitors

Croquet

Belgium and France

France at the 1900 Summer Olympics

France was the host of the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. France was one of many nations that had competed in the 1896 Summer Olympics in Greece and had returned to compete at the 1900 Games....

 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.

Event	Place	Player(s)	Round 1	Round 2	Final
Singles one ball	—	Marcel Haentjens	Did not finish	Did not advance

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.

Event	Place	Cyclist	Round 1	Quarterfinals	Semifinals	Final
2000 metre sprint	—	Vincent	2nd place heat 9	2nd place quarterfinal 5	Did not advance

Equestrian

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

Event	Place	Equestrian	Time, height, or distance
Jumping	1st	Aimè Haageman	2:16.0
	2nd	Georges van der Poële	2:17.6
	4-37	9 other competitors
High jump	3rd	Georges van der Poële	1.70 metres
	5-18	3 other competitors
Long jump	1st	Constant van Langendonck	6.10 metres
	5-17	2 other competitors

Fencing

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

Event	Place	Fencer	Round 1	Quarterfinals	Repechage	Semifinals	Final
Foil	14th	Tony Smet Tony Smet Tony Smet was a Belgian Olympic fencer. He competed in the individual foil and épée events at the 1900 Summer Olympics. He finished the foil event in 14th place.-References:...	Advanced by jury	Advanced by jury	Straight to semifinal	8th place semifinal A	6th place consolation
Épée	19-31	Tony Smet	1st place pool P	4th-6th quarterfinal C	None held	Did not advance
Masters foil	10th	Pierre Selderslagh Pierre Selderslagh Pierre Selderslagh was a Belgian Olympic fencer. He competed in the individual foil masters event at the 1900 Summer Olympics.-References:...	Advanced by jury	Advanced by jury	Straight to semifinals	5th place semifinal B	2nd place consolation
	15th	Cyrille Verbrugge Cyrille Verbrugge Cyrille Verbrugge was a Belgian Olympic fencer. He won two gold medals at the 1906 Summer Olympics.-References:...	Advanced by jury	Advanced by jury	Straight to semifinals	7th place semifinal A	7th place consolation
	44-60	F. Després	Not advanced by jury	Did not advance
Masters sabre	8th	Hébrant	1st-4th in pool	None held		2nd place semifinal A	8th place

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.

Event	Place	Players	Match 1	Match 2
Men's football	3rd	Université de Bruxelles  Albert Delbecque Albert Delbecque Albert Delbecque was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris he won a bronze medal as a member of Université de Bruxelles club team.-External links:*... , Henrik van Heuckelum, Raul Kelecom Raul Kelecom Raul Kelecom was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris he won a bronze medal as a member of Université de Bruxelles club team.-External links:*... , Marcel Leboutte Marcel Leboutte Marcel Leboutte was a Belgian football player. He competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris, Leboutte won a bronze medal as a member of the Université de Bruxelles club team.-External links:*... , Lucien Londot Lucien Londot Lucien Jean Londot was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris he won a bronze medal as a member of Université de Bruxelles club team.-External links:*... , Ernest Moreau de Melen Ernest Moreau de Melen Ernest Moreau de Melen was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris he won a bronze medal as a member of Université de Bruxelles club team.-External links:*... , Edmond Neefs Edmond Neefs Edmond Neefs was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris he won a bronze medal as a member of Université de Bruxelles club team.-External links:*... , Georges Pelgrims Georges Pelgrims Georges Pelgrims was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris he won a bronze medal as a member of Université de Bruxelles club team.-External links:*...  (captain), Alphonse Renier Alphonse Renier Alphonse Renier was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris he won a bronze medal as a member of Université de Bruxelles club team.-External links:*... , Emile Spannoghe Émile Spannoghe Émile Hilaire Spannoghe was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris he won a bronze medal as a member of Université de Bruxelles club team.-External links:*... , Eric Thornton Eric Thornton Eric Thornton was a British-born Belgian football player who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games.In Paris he won a bronze medal as a member of Université de Bruxelles club team.-External links:*...	—	Lost vs. Club Française  6-2

Gymnastics

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

Event	Place	Gymnast	Score
Combined	99	De Poorten	207
	112	Michelet	192

Rowing

Belgium, through the Royal Club Nautique de Gand

Royal Club Nautique de Gand

Royal Club Nautique de Gand...

, sent coxed pairs and coxed eights boats to the first Olympic rowing competition.

Event	Place	Boat	Round 1	Semifinals	Final
Coxed pairs	5th	Royal Club Nautique de Gand Royal Club Nautique de Gand Royal Club Nautique de Gand...   Prospère Bruggeman Prospère Bruggeman Prospère Bruggeman was a Belgian rower who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Belgian boat Royal Club Nautique de Gand, which won the silver medal in the eights.-External links:*... , Maurice Hemelsoet, Unknown cox	None held	7:00.4 3rd, semifinal 2	Did not advance
Coxed eights	2nd	Royal Club Nautique de Gand Jules de Bisschop Jules De Bisschop Jules De Bisschop was a Belgian rower who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Belgian boat Royal Club Nautique de Gand, which won the silver medal in the eights.-External links:*... , Prospère Bruggeman, Oscar De Somville Oscar De Somville Oscar Charles De Somville was a Belgian rower who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics and in the 1908 Summer Olympics.... , Oscar de Cock Oscar De Cock Oscar De Cock was a Belgian rower who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Belgian boat Royal Club Nautique de Gand, which won the silver medal in the eights.-External links:*... , Maurice Hemelsoet, Marcel van Crombrugghe, Frank Odberg, Maurice Verdonck Maurice Verdonck Maurice Verdonck was a Belgian rower who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Belgian boat Royal Club Nautique de Gand, which won the silver medal in the eights.-External links:*... , Alfred van Landeghem (cox)	None held	5:00.2 2nd, semifinal 1	6:13.8

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.

Event	Place	Shooter	Score
Military pistol individual	13th	Rooman	405
	14th	Thèves	404
	16th	Victor Robert	351
	17th	Eichorn	345
	19th	Lebègue Lebègue Lebègue is a French surname. People with this surname include the following:* Nicolas Lebègue , French composer and organist* Guy Lebègue , French engineer-See also:* Henri Lebesgue , French mathematician...	318
Military pistol team	4th	Eichorn, Lebègue, Victor Robert, Rooman, Thèves	1823
Military rifle standing	3rd	Charles Paumier Charles Paumier Charles Paumier du Verger was a Belgian sports shooter who competed in the early 20th century in rifle shooting. He participated in Shooting at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris and won a bronze medal in the military rifle standing category....	298
	4th	Paul van Asbroeck Paul Van Asbroeck Paul Van Asbroeck was a Belgian sports shooter who competed in the early 20th century in rifle and pistol shooting. He competed at the 1900 Olympics in Paris and won a bronze medal in the military rifle 3 positions category...	297
	7th	Jules Bury	282
	21st	Edouard Myin	265
	30th	Joseph Baras	233
Military rifle kneeling	4th	Paul van Asbroeck	308
	9th	Charles Paumier	297
	24th	Jules Bury	269
	29th	Edouard Myin	249
	30th	Joseph Baras	210
Military rifle prone	8th	Paul van Asbroeck	312
	13th	Edouard Myin	304
	15th	Charles Paumier	302
	28th	Joseph Baras	270
		Jules Bury	270
Military rifle three positions	3rd	Paul van Asbroeck	917
	6th	Charles Paumier	897
	22nd	Jules Bury	821
	23rd	Edouard Myin	818
	30th	Joseph Baras	713
Military rifle team	6th	Paul van Asbroeck, Joseph Baras, Jules Bury, Edouard Myin, Charles Paumier	4166

Swimming

Event	Place	Swimmer	Semifinals	Final
Men's 4000 metre freestyle	—	Hermand	Did not finish semifinal 1	Did not advance

Water polo

Event	Place	Team	Quarterfinals	Semifinals	Final
Men's water polo	2nd	Brussels Swimming and Water Polo Club  Jean de Backer, Victor de Behr, Henri Cohen Henri Cohen (athlete) Henri Cohen was an athlete who specialized in water polo.-References:... , Fernand Feyaerts Fernand Feyaerts Fernand Feyearts was a Belgian swimmer and water polo player who competed for Belgium at the 1908 Summer Olympics. He was most successful in water polo winning a silver medal at the 1900 Summer Olympics and a silver medal again at the 1908 Summer Olympics.... , Oscar Grégoire Oscar Grégoire Oscar Grégoire was a Belgian water polo player and backstroke swimmer who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics, in the 1908 Summer Olympics, and in the 1912 Summer Olympics.... , Albert Michant, Victor Sonnemans	Won 2-0	Won 5-1	Lost 7-2