Maurice Peeters
Encyclopedia
Mouritius "Maurice" Prosper Peeters (May 5, 1882 – December 6, 1957) was a track cyclist from the Netherlands
, who represented his country at the two consecutive Summer Olympics (1920 and 1924).
He was born in Antwerp, Belgium
, but was raised in The Hague
. He died in nearby Leidschendam
.
In 1920, Peeters became amateur world champion in track cycling. One day later he rode the Olympic 1000 m sprint, and of course he was considered a favourite. He lost in the first round, but his second place was enough to progress to the next round. He then won the quarter final and the semi-final. In the final, he rode against two British cyclists, Harry Ryan
and Tiny Johnson. They tried to make use of their numerical advantage, and Ryan attacked, so that Peeters had to get him back. In the final corner, Johnson should came around the corner to win the race, but Peeters was ahead and kept his lead.
After having won the gold medal at the 1920 Summer Olympics
in Antwerp (1000 m sprint), he captured the bronze medal four years later in the 2000 m tandem competition, alongside Gerard Bosch van Drakestein
.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, who represented his country at the two consecutive Summer Olympics (1920 and 1924).
He was born in Antwerp, 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...
, but was raised in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
. He died in nearby Leidschendam
Leidschendam
Leidschendam is a town and former municipality in the province of South Holland of the Netherlands. Along with Voorburg and Stompwijk, it is part of the municipality Leidschendam-Voorburg.- History :...
.
In 1920, Peeters became amateur world champion in track cycling. One day later he rode the Olympic 1000 m sprint, and of course he was considered a favourite. He lost in the first round, but his second place was enough to progress to the next round. He then won the quarter final and the semi-final. In the final, he rode against two British cyclists, Harry Ryan
Harry Ryan
Harry Edgar Ryan was a British track cycling racer. Ryan came second in the world amateur sprint championship in 1913., he also competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics and won the gold medal in the tandem competition together with his partner Thomas Lance as well as the bronze medal in the...
and Tiny Johnson. They tried to make use of their numerical advantage, and Ryan attacked, so that Peeters had to get him back. In the final corner, Johnson should came around the corner to win the race, but Peeters was ahead and kept his lead.
After having won the gold medal at the 1920 Summer Olympics
Cycling at the 1920 Summer Olympics
The cycling competitions at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp consisted of two road racing events and four track racing events, all for men only. The 50 km track event was held for the first time at these Games.-Road cycling:-Track cycling:...
in Antwerp (1000 m sprint), he captured the bronze medal four years later in the 2000 m tandem competition, alongside Gerard Bosch van Drakestein
Gerard Bosch van Drakestein
Jonkheer Gerard Dagobert Hendrik Bosch van Drakestein was a track cyclist from the Netherlands, who represented his native country at the three Summer Olympics ....
.