Louis Balsan
Encyclopedia
Louis Balsan was a French
bobsledder who competed in the 1930s. He later became a writer in the 1950s, discussing his involvement in World War II
espionage
and the history of mountain climbing in the Pyrenees
.
at Garmisch-Partenkirchen
in 1936
.
At the 1932 Winter Olympics he and Armand Delille
finished eleventh in the two-man event
in 1942 during World War II
for participating in resistance activities. He was taken to Mauthausen and then Loibl Pass, until the 8th Army (UK) liberated the area in 1945. He wrote a testimony of his life in concentration camps in Le Ver Luisant. Other books written by fellow prisonners include Karawanken (memoirs of Gaston Charlet) and The Tunnel (a novel based on the author's experiences). the history of mountain climbing in the Pyrennes. Balsan died in 1982.
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...
bobsledder who competed in the 1930s. He later became a writer in the 1950s, discussing his involvement in 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...
espionage
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
and the history of mountain climbing in the Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
.
Bobsleigh career
Competing in two Winter Olympics, Balsan earned his best finish of ninth in the four-man eventBobsleigh at the 1936 Winter Olympics - Four-man
The four-man bobsleigh results at the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The competition was held on Tuesday, February 11, 1936 and on Wednesday, February 12, 1936.-Medallists:-Results:-References:*...
at Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a mountain resort town in Bavaria, southern Germany. It is the administrative centre of the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in the Oberbayern region, and the district is on the border with Austria...
in 1936
1936 Winter Olympics
The 1936 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1936 in the market town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria, Germany. Germany also hosted the Summer Olympics the same year in Berlin...
.
At the 1932 Winter Olympics he and Armand Delille
Armand Delille
Armand Delille was a French bobsledder who competed in the early 1930s. At the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, he finished 11th in the two-man event.-References:**...
finished eleventh in the two-man event
Bobsleigh at the 1932 Winter Olympics - Two-man
The two-man bobsleigh results at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.-Medallists:-Results:-References:*...
Other activities
Balsan was later arrested by the GestapoGestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
in 1942 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...
for participating in resistance activities. He was taken to Mauthausen and then Loibl Pass, until the 8th Army (UK) liberated the area in 1945. He wrote a testimony of his life in concentration camps in Le Ver Luisant. Other books written by fellow prisonners include Karawanken (memoirs of Gaston Charlet) and The Tunnel (a novel based on the author's experiences). the history of mountain climbing in the Pyrennes. Balsan died in 1982.