Michel Théato
Encyclopedia
Michel Johann Théato (22 March 1878, Luxembourg
, Luxembourg
– 1919, Paris
, France
) was a Luxembourg
ian athlete, and the winner of the marathon at the 1900 Olympics
in Paris
.
Little is known about Théato, who did not work as a baker
's delivery boy in Paris, as often said, but was a cabinet-maker and member of the St-Mandé athletic club. He won the race, then measured at 40,260 m and held under very hot circumstances, in just under three hours. However, his victory was not undisputed, as several runners, notably American
Arthur Newton, claimed that Théato had taken shortcuts, helped by his knowledge of the Parisian streets through his alleged occupation. These assertions have been totally disproved by Olympic historians including André Drevin and Raymond Pointu (Les Marathons Olympiques, Calmann-Lévy 2003).
For a long while, it was assumed that Théato was French
, and only in the late 20th century it was discovered (by Alain Bouillé) that he was born in Luxembourg. Whilst that makes him the first Olympic medallist (and one of only two, along with Josy Barthel
, ever) from the country, the International Olympic Committee
contends that he competed for France, and, hence, the medal is always credited to the French.
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...
, Luxembourg
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...
– 1919, 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...
) was a Luxembourg
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...
ian athlete, and the winner of the marathon at the 1900 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...
.
Little is known about Théato, who did not work as a baker
Baker
A baker is someone who bakes and sells bread, Cakes and similar foods may also be produced, as the traditional boundaries between what is produced by a baker as opposed to a pastry chef have blurred in recent decades...
's delivery boy in Paris, as often said, but was a cabinet-maker and member of the St-Mandé athletic club. He won the race, then measured at 40,260 m and held under very hot circumstances, in just under three hours. However, his victory was not undisputed, as several runners, notably American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Arthur Newton, claimed that Théato had taken shortcuts, helped by his knowledge of the Parisian streets through his alleged occupation. These assertions have been totally disproved by Olympic historians including André Drevin and Raymond Pointu (Les Marathons Olympiques, Calmann-Lévy 2003).
For a long while, it was assumed that Théato was French
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...
, and only in the late 20th century it was discovered (by Alain Bouillé) that he was born in Luxembourg. Whilst that makes him the first Olympic medallist (and one of only two, along with Josy Barthel
Josy Barthel
Joseph Barthel was a Luxembourgish 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...
, ever) from the country, the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
contends that he competed for France, and, hence, the medal is always credited to the French.