Belgium at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Sporting event delegation

Belgium at the
1920 Summer Olympics

IOC code| BEL
NOC| Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee
Website| www.olympic.be (in Dutch and French)
in Antwerp
Competitors| 336 (326 men, 10 women) in 23 sports
Flag bearer| Victor Boin (fencing)[1]
Medals
Ranked 5th|

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Total

Summer Olympics appearances (overview)

* 1900
* 1904
* 1908
* 1912
* 1920
* 1924
* 1928
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* 1948
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* 1988
* 1992
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* 2008
* 2012
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* 2020
* 2024

Other related appearances
1906 Intercalated Games

Belgium was the host nation for the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. 336 competitors, 326 men and 10 women, took part in 121 events in 23 sports.[2]

## Medalists

[edit]

### Gold

[edit]

* Edmond Cloetens -- Archery, Men's Individual fixed large bird
* Edmond Cloetens, Louis van de Perck, Firmin Flamand, Edmond van Moer, Joseph Hermans and Auguste van de Verre -- Archery, Men's Team fixed large bird
* Edmond Cloetens, Louis van de Perck, Firmin Flamand, Edmond van Moer, Joseph Hermans and Auguste van de Verre -- Archery, Men's Team fixed small bird
* Edmond van Moer -- Archery, Men's Individual fixed small bird
* Hubert Van Innis, Alphonse Allaert, Edmond de Knibber, Louis Delcon, Jérome de Mayer, Pierre van Thielt, Louis Fierens and Louis van Beeck -- Archery, Men's Team moving bird 33m
* Hubert Van Innis, Alphonse Allaert, Edmond de Knibber, Louis Delcon, Jérome de Mayer, Pierre van Thielt, Louis Fierens and Louis van Beeck -- Archery, Men's Team moving bird 50m
* Hubert Van Innis -- Archery, Men's Individual moving bird 28m
* Hubert Van Innis -- Archery, Men's Individual moving bird 33m
* Henry George -- Cycling, Men's 50 km
* Daniel Bouckaert -- Equestrian, Individual vaulting
* Daniel Bouckaert, Louis Finet and Maurice Van Ranst, van Schauwbroeck and van Cauwenberg -- Equestrian, Team vaulting
* Men's Team -- Football
* Emile Cornellie, Florimond Cornellie and Frédéric Bruynseels -- Sailing, Men's 6 metre class
* Frans de Haes -- Weightlifting, Featherweight

### Silver

[edit]

* Louis van de Perck -- Archery, Men's Individual fixed large bird
* Louis van de Perck -- Archery, Men's Individual fixed small bird
* Hubert Van Innis, Alphonse Allaert, Edmond de Knibber, Louis Delcon, Jérome de Mayer, Pierre van Thielt, Louis Fierens and Louis van Beeck -- Archery, Men's Team moving bird 28m
* Hubert Van Innis -- Archery, Men's Individual moving bird 50m
* Men's Team -- Equestrian
* Men's Team -- Fencing, Men's Team Epee
* Men's Team -- Gymnastics
* Léon Huybrechts, Charles van den Bussche and John Klotz -- Sailing, 6 metre class (1919 rating)
* Albert Bosquet, Joseph Cogels, Emile Dupont, Henri Quersin, Louis van Tilt and Edouard Fesinger -- Shooting, Men's Team clay pigeons
* Albert Durant, Gérard Blitz, Maurice Blitz, Joseph Pletincx, Paul Gailly, Pierre Nijs, René Bauwens and Pierre Dewin -- Water polo, Men's Team competition
* Louis Williquet -- Weightlifting, Lightweight

### Bronze

[edit]

* Firmin Flamand -- Archery, Men's Individual fixed large bird
* Joseph Hermans -- Archery, Men's Individual fixed small bird
* Albert de Buinne, André Vercruysse, Bernard Janssens and Albert Wyckmans -- Cycling, Men's Team Time Trial
* Roger Moeremans d'Emaüs, Oswald Lints, Jules Bonvalet and Jacques Misonne -- Equestrian, Men's Team three-day event
* Louis Finet -- Equestrian, Individual vaulting
* Men's Team (Swedish system) -- Gymnastics
* Men's Team -- Hockey
* Albert Grisar, Willy de l'Arbre, Léopold Standaert, Henri Weewauters and Georges Hellebuyck -- Sailing, 8 metre class (1919 rating)
* Gerard Blitz -- Swimming, Men's 100m backstroke
* Men's Team -- Tug of war
* Georges Rooms -- Weightlifting, Lightweight

## Archery

[edit]

Main article: Archery at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Belgium sent 14 archers in its second Olympic archery appearance. The six competitors who competed in the fixed bird events had no international competitions, and took the guaranteed 4 gold medals, 2 silvers, and 2 bronzes. Van Innis, a veteran of Belgium's first appearance in 1900, faced a lone French archer in each of the three individual moving bird competitions; he took two of the three gold medals and one silver. In the team moving bird competitions, the Belgian team faced off against France in the 50 and 33 metre events, beating the French team both times. The Netherlands sent a team for the 28 metre competition, which knocked Belgium down to second place in that event.

Overall, the team took 8 of 10 possible gold medals as well as 4 silvers and 2 bronzes. They had been guaranteed 4 golds, 7 silvers, and 3 bronzes at worst.

Archer  | Event  | Final

|
|

Score  | Rank
Edmond Cloetens | Fixed large bird | 13  |
Fixed small bird | 4  | 5
Firmin Flamand | Fixed large bird | 7  |
Fixed small bird | 5  | 4
Joseph Hermans | Fixed large bird | 5  | 5
Fixed small bird | 6  |
Louis van de Perck | Fixed large bird | 11  |
Fixed small bird | 8  |
Auguste van de Verre | Fixed large bird | 3  | 6
Fixed small bird | 1  | 6
Hubert Van Innis | Moving bird, 50 m | 106  |
Moving bird, 33 m | 139  |
Moving bird, 28 m | 172  |
Edmond van Moer | Fixed large bird | 6  | 4
Fixed small bird | 11  |
Edmond Cloetens
Firmin Flamand
Joseph Hermans
Louis Van De Perck
Auguste Van De Verre
Edmond Van Moer | Team fixed large bird | 31  |
Team fixed small bird | 25  |
Alphonse Allaert
Edmond De Knibber
Jérome De Maeyer
Louis Delcon
Louis Fierens
Louis Van Beeck
Hubert Van Innis
Pierre Van Thielt | Team moving bird, 50 m | 2701  |
Team moving bird, 33 m | 2958  |
Team moving bird, 28 m | 2924  |

## Aquatics

[edit]

### Diving

[edit]

Main article: Diving at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Three divers represented Belgium in 1920. It was the nation's second appearance in the sport. Sauvage became the first Belgian to advance to a diving final, in the plain high diving. He placed seventh in the final standings.

Men

Ranks given are within the semifinal group.

Diver  | Event  | Semifinals  | Final

|
|
|

Points  | Score  | Rank  | Points  | Score  | Rank
Joseph Callens | 10 m springboard | 30  | 476.40  | 6  | Did not advance
Raymond Desonay | Plain high dive | 35  | 129.0  | 7  | Did not advance
Fernand Sauvage | Plain high dive | 17  | 145.5  | 3 Q | 34  | 148.5  | 7

### Swimming

[edit]

Main article: Swimming at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Twelve swimmers, including one woman, represented Belgium in 1920. It was the nation's fourth appearance in the sport as well as the Olympics. Blitz was the first Belgian to reach a final in an Olympic swimming event, and he won the nation's first Olympic swimming medal with his bronze-winning effort in the 100 metre backstroke.

Ranks given are within the heat.

Men
Swimmer  | Event  | Quarterfinals  | Semifinals  | Final

|
|
|
|

Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank
Gérard Blitz | 100 m free | Unknown  | 7  | Did not advance
100 m back | NA  | 1:18.6  | 2 Q | 1:19.0  |
Félicien Courbet | 200 m breast | Unknown  | 7  | Did not advance
400 m breast | 7:20.0  | 3  | Did not advance
Paul De Backer | 1500 m free | 26:46.4  | 2 Q | Unknown  | 6  | Did not advance
Édouard Henry  | 200 m breast | 3:18.0  | 3  | Did not advance
400 m breast | Unknown  | 5  | Did not advance
Gaspard Lemaire | 100 m back | NA  | 1:28.0  | 3  | Did not advance
Paul Neeckx | 200 m breast | 3:16.6  | 3 q | Unknown  | 5  | Did not advance
Édouard Van Haelen | 200 m breast | 3:22.6  | 3  | Did not advance
400 m breast | Unknown  | 4  | Did not advance
Martial van Schelle | 100 m free | Unknown  | 4  | Did not advance
René Bauwens
Gérard Blitz
Joseph Cludts
Jean-Pierre Vermetten | 4 × 200 m free relay | N/A  | 11:12.2  | 3  | Did not advance

Women
Swimmer  | Event  | Semifinals  | Final

|
|
|

Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank
Germaine Van Dievoet | 100 m free | Unknown  | 4  | Did not advance

### Water polo

[edit]

Main article: Water polo at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Belgium competed in the Olympic water polo tournament for the fourth time in 1920, having won a medal each of the prior times but still seeking its first gold medal. The Bergvall System was in use at the time. Belgium blew out Switzerland in the opening round, then squeaked by the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. After defeating Sweden 5–3 in the semifinals, Belgium advanced to the final against Great Britain. For the fourth straight time the two had met in the Olympics, the British side came out on top of the Belgian team, this time by a score of 3–2.

Belgium received a bye into the silver medal semifinals after the loss to Britain. There they faced, and defeated, the United States to take the country's fourth Olympic water polo medal.

Round of 16
| Belgium | 11-0  |  Switzerland | Antwerp

|
|
|
|

Quarterfinals
| Belgium | 2-1  |  Netherlands | Antwerp

|
|
|
|

Semifinals
| Belgium | 5-3  |  Sweden | Antwerp

|
|
|
|

Final
| Great Britain | 3-2  |  Belgium | Antwerp

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|
|

Silver medal match
| United States | 2-7  |  Belgium | Antwerp

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Final rank
Silver

## Athletics

[edit]

Main article: Athletics at the 1920 Summer Olympics

42 athletes represented Belgium in 1920. It was the host nation's third appearance in the sport, having not competed in athletics in 1900. The best result for the team was Broos's fourth-place finish in the marathon as the Belgians continued to look in vain for their first Olympic medal in the sport.

Ranks given are within the heat.

Athlete  | Event  | Heats  | Quarterfinals  | Semifinals  | Final

|
|
|
|
|

Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank
Lucien Bangels | 1500 m | —  | Did not finish  | Did not advance
Oscar Blansaer | Marathon | —  | 3:20:00.0  | 34
Paul Brochart | 100 m | 11.4  | 1 Q | 10.9  | 2 Q | 11.3  | 4  | Did not advance
200 m | 23.2  | 1 Q | 23.2  | 2 Q | Did not start  | Did not advance
Auguste Broos | Marathon | —  | 2:39:25.8  | 4
Omar Corteyn | 400 m | 52.2  | 1 Q | 52.0  | 5  | Did not advance
Jean Delarge | 800 m | —  | Did not finish  | Did not advance
Pierre Devaux | 10000 m | —  | 36:38.3  | 8  | Did not advance
Antoine Doyen | 10 km walk | —  |  | 6 Q | 56:30.0  | 8
Léon Fourneau | 1500 m | —  | 4:15.0  | 3 Q | 4:16.0  | 9
Henri Godin | 800 m | —  |  | 6  | Did not advance
Marcel Gustin  | 100 m | 11.3  | 3  | Did not advance
200 m | 24.3  | 3  | Did not advance
Max Houben | 200 m | 24.2  | 2 Q |  | 5  | Did not advance
René Joannes-Powell | 110 m hurdles | —  |  | 4  | Did not advance
Jean Lefèbvre | 100 m |  | 5  | Did not advance
Julien Lehouck | 100 m |  | 4  | Did not advance
Charles Melis | Marathon | —  | 3:00:51.0  | 27
Jules Migeot | 400 m | 55.1  | 4  | Did not advance
François Morren | 400 m | 51.6  | 1 Q | 50.8  | 4  | Did not advance
Léonce Oleffe | 800 m | —  |  | 7  | Did not advance
Aimé Proot | 10000 m | —  |  | 9  | Did not advance
Cross country | —  |  | 36
Émile Rivez | Cross country | —  |  | 42
Theofiel Roekaert | 1500 m | —  |  | 7  | Did not advance
Jean Seghers | 3 km walk | —  | 14:09.2  | 6 Q | 13:31.1  | 9
10 km walk | —  | 48:29.0  | 6 Q | 50:32.4  | 7
Omar Smet | 400 m hurdles | —  | Did not finish  | Did not advance
Henri Smets | 5000 m | —  |  | 8  | Did not advance
Cross country | —  |  | 33
Pierre Trullemans | 5000 m | —  | Did not finish  | Did not advance
Cross country | —  |  | 41
Julien Van Campenhout | 5000 m | —  | 15:22.6  | 2 Q | 15:25.0  | 9
Cross country | —  | 28:00.0  | 7
Joseph Van Der Wee | 800 m | —  | 2:00.0  | 5  | Did not advance
Désiré Van Remortel | Marathon | —  | Did not finish
Paul Verlaeckt | 3 km walk | —  |  | 7  | Did not advance
10 km walk | —  | Disqualified  | Did not advance
François Vyncke | 5000 m | —  |  | 7  | Did not advance
Cross country | —  |  | 37
Charles Wiggers | 3 km walk | —  |  | 9  | Did not advance
10 km walk | —  | Disqualified  | Did not advance
Paul Brochart
Max Houben
Julien Lehouck
Omer Smet  | 4 × 100 m relay | —  | 43.7  | 4  | Did not advance
Omar Corteyn
Jules Migeot
François Morren
Omar Smet  | 4 × 400 m relay | —  | 3:38.8  | 1 Q | 3:24.9  | 6
Lucien Bangels
Claude Otterbeen
Henri Smets
Pierre Trullemans
Julien Van Campenhout
François Vyncke  | 3000 m team | —  | 30  | 4  | Did not advance
Aimé Proot
Émile Rivez
Henri Smets
Pierre Trullemans
Julien Van Campenhout
François Vyncke  | Team cross country | —  | 48  | 6
Athlete  | Event  | Qualifying  | Final

|
|
|

Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank
Gustave De Bruyne | Long jump | 6.20  | 18  | Did not advance
Arthur Delaender | Discus throw | 32.00  | 16  | Did not advance
Javelin throw | 36.25  | 25  | Did not advance
Adolphe Hauman | Javelin throw | 42.58  | 18  | Did not advance
Jean Hénault | High jump | 1.65  | 16  | Did not advance
Albert Harion | High jump | 1.70  | 14  | Did not advance
René Joannes-Powell  | Pole vault | 3.60  | 1 Q | 3.30  | 13
Jean Lefèvbre  | Long jump | 5.79  | 24  | Did not advance
Javelin throw | 39.00  | 22  | Did not advance
Julien Lehouck  | Long jump | 5.76  | 25  | Did not advance
François Mahy | High jump | 1.65  | 16  | Did not advance
Émile Muller | Javelin throw | 40.24  | 20  | Did not advance
Léon Pothier | Shot put | 10.10  | 24  | Did not advance
Gaston Wuyts | Shot put | 11.045  | 18  | Did not advance
Athlete  | Event  | Final

|
|

Result  | Rank
René Joannes-Powell  | Decathlon | 5091.520  | 11

## Boxing

[edit]

Main article: Boxing at the 1920 Summer Olympics

13 boxers represented Belgium at the 1920 Games. It was the nation's debut appearance in boxing. Hébrans was the only boxer to advance to the semifinals; he was defeated both in the semifinals and in the bronze medal match to finish with fourth place in the bantamweight.

Boxer  | Weight class  | Round of 32  | Round of 16  | Quarterfinals  | Semifinals  | Final / Bronze match

|
|
|
|
|
|

Opposition
Score  | Opposition
Score  | Opposition
Score  | Opposition
Score  | Opposition
Score  | Rank
Jules Androt | Flyweight | N/A  |  Zivic (USA)
L | Did not advance  | 9
Philippe Bouvy | Featherweight | Bye  |  Hesterman (NED)
W |  Gachet (FRA)
L | Did not advance  | 5
Alfons Bouwens | Bantamweight | N/A  |  Walker (RSA)
L | Did not advance  | 9
Joseph Charpentier | Flyweight | N/A  |  Kjellberg (NOR)
W |  Albert (FRA)
L | Did not advance  | 5
Jean Creusen | Heavyweight | N/A  | Bye  |  Spengler (USA)
L | Did not advance  | 5
René Smet | Welterweight | Bye  |  Suhr (DEN)
L | Did not advance  | 9
Henri Hébrans | Bantamweight | N/A  | Bye  |  Vogel (USA)
W |  Graham (CAN)
L |  McKenzie (GBR)
L | 4
Antoine Masson | Middleweight | Bye  |  Prud'Homme (CAN)
L | Did not advance  | 9
Jean Neys | Lightweight | N/A  |  Johansen (DEN)
L | Did not advance  | 9
Joseph Simonon | Middleweight |  Dortet (FRA)
L | Did not advance  | 17
Julien Van Muysen | Lightweight | N/A  |  Giunchi (ITA)
W |  Beland (RSA)
L | Did not advance  | 5
Joseph Vincken | Featherweight | Bye  |  Garzena (ITA)
L | Did not advance  | 9
Georges Werll | Welterweight | Bye  |  Clark (USA)
L | Did not advance  | 9

| Opponent nation | Wins | Losses | Percent

|
|
|

Canada | 0 | 2 | .000
Denmark | 0 | 2 | .000
France | 0 | 3 | .000
Great Britain | 0 | 1 | .000
Italy | 1 | 1 | .500
Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 1.000
Norway | 1 | 0 | 1.000
South Africa | 0 | 2 | .000
United States | 1 | 2 | .333
Total | 4 | 13 | .235
| Round | Wins | Losses | Percent

|
|
|

Round of 32 | 0 | 1 | .000
Round of 16 | 3 | 7 | .300
Quarterfinals | 1 | 4 | .200
Semifinals | 0 | 1 | .000
Final | 0 | 0 | –
Bronze match | 0 | 1 | .000
Total | 4 | 13 | .235

## Cycling

[edit]

Main article: Cycling at the 1920 Summer Olympics

15 cyclists represented Belgium in 1920. It was the nation's fourth appearance in the sport, with Belgium having competed in cycling each time the nation appeared at the Olympics. George took the country's first Olympic cycling gold medal by winning the 50 kilometre race. The road cycling team took bronze; Belgian cyclists came close to adding more medals with two fourth-place finishes and one fifth-place finish.

### Road cycling

[edit]

Cyclist  | Event  | Final

|
|

Result  | Rank
Albert de Bunné | Time trial | 4:45:23.4  | 5
Bernard Janssens | Time trial | 4:44:20.6  | 4
André Vercruysse | Time trial | 4:55:41.4  | 15
Albert Wyckmans | Time trial | 5:03:19.0  | 24
Albert de Bunné
Bernard Janssens
André Vercruysse
Albert Wyckmans | Team time trial | 19:28:44.4  |

### Track cycling

[edit]

Ranks given are within the heat.

Cyclist  | Event  | Heats  | Quarterfinals  | Repechage semis  | Repechage final  | Semifinals  | Final

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Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank
Binard | Sprint | Unknown  | 2 Q | Unknown  | 3 R | Unknown  | 3  | Did not advance
Charles Cadron | 50 km | N/A  | Unknown  | 8
Gustave Daghelinckx | Sprint | 13.2  | 1 Q | Unknown  | 3 R | Unknown  | 2  | Did not advance
Gustave de Schryver | 50 km | N/A  | Unknown  | 8
Félix Dockx | 50 km | N/A  | Did not finish
Henry George | 50 km | N/A  | 1:16:42.3  |
L'Empereur | Sprint | Unknown  | 2 Q | Unknown  | 3 R | Unknown  | 2  | Did not advance
John Verhoeven | Sprint | 13.2  | 1 Q | Unknown  | 3 R | Unknown  | 3  | Did not advance
Frédéric Claessens
Frans Verscheuren | Tandem | N/A  | Did not finish  | N/A  | Did not advance
Gustave Daghelinckx
John Verhoeven  | Tandem | N/A  | Unknown  | 2  | N/A  | Did not advance
Gustave Daghelinckx
Albert de Bunné
Gustave de Schryver
Bernard Janssens
Charles Van Doorslaer | Team pursuit | N/A  | 6:18.4  | 1 Q' | N/A  | 5:20.2  | 2  | Did not advance  | 4

## Equestrian

[edit]

Main article: Equestrian at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Eighteen equestrians represented Belgium in 1920. It was the host nation's third appearance in the sport, being one of only three countries (along with France and the United States) to have taken part in each Olympic equestrian competition to that point. The Belgian vaulters were the most successful, with Bouckaert's gold medal and Finet's bronze in the individual leading the team to a gold medal in the combined event. The Belgians also had success in the other two competitions, adding a silver in the jumping and a bronze in the eventing, though no others took individual medals.

Equestrian  | Horse  | Event  | Final

|
|
|

Result  | Rank
Jules Bonvalet | Weppelghem  | Eventing | 1392.50  | 12
Jumping | 10.00  | 15
Daniel Bouckaert |  | Vaulting | 30.500  |
Victor Claes |  | Vaulting | 26.163  | 8
Emmanuel de Blommaert | Grizzly  | Dressage | 20.4375  | 11
Ghislain de Briey | Perfect Gentleman  | Jumping | 13.50  | 21
Ferdinand de la Serna | Arsinoe  | Jumping | 6.00  | 5
Gaston de Trannoy | Bouton d'Or  | Dressage | 23.1250  | 7
Louis Finet |  | Vaulting | 29.000  |
Oswald Lints | Martha  | Eventing | 1515.00  | 10
Jacques Misonne | Gaucho  | Eventing | 1282.50  | 17
Jumping | 23.25  | 25
Roger Moeremans d'Emaüs | Sweet Girl  | Eventing | 1652.50  | 4
Jumping | 7.00  | 7
Albert van Cauwenberg |  | Vaulting | 26.666  | 6
Maurice Van Ranst |  | Vaulting | 28.000  | 4
van Schauwenbroeck  |  | Vaulting | 27.250  | 5
Daniel Bouckaert
Louis Finet
Maurice Van Ranst |  | Team vaulting | 87.500  |
Jules Bonvalet
Oswald Lints
Jacques Misonne
Roger Moeremans d'Emaüs | Weppelghem
Martha
Gaucho
Sweet Girl | Team eventing | 4560.00  |
André Coumans
Herman de Gaiffier d'Hestroy
Herman d'Oultromont
Henri Laame | Lisette
Miss
Lord Kitchener
Biscuit | Team jumping | 16.25  |

## Fencing

[edit]

Main article: Fencing at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Twenty-two fencers represented Belgium in 1920. It was the host nation's fourth appearance in the sport, having competed in fencing each time Belgium appeared at the Olympics. The best result for the team was a silver medal in the team épée, which was the country's only fencing medal despite having six individual finalists and two teams in event finals.

Ranks given are within the group.

Athlete  | Event  | First round  | Quarterfinals  | Semifinals  | Final

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|
|
|
|

Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank
Marcel Berré | Foil | N/A  | 2–4  | 4  | Did not advance
Victor Boin | Épée | 4–2  | 3 Q | 3–7  | 8  | Did not advance
Charles Crahay | Foil | N/A  | 3–1  | 2 Q | 2–3  | 4  | Did not advance
Modeste Cuypers | Foil | N/A  | 6–2  | 2 Q | 2–3  | 4  | Did not advance
Joseph de Craecker | Épée | 4–4  | 3 Q | 5–5  | 7  | Did not advance
Fernand de Montigny | Épée | 7–1  | 1 Q | 6–4  | 3 Q | 4–7  | 7  | Did not advance
Foil | N/A  | 5–0  | 1 Q | 4–1  | 1 Q | 6–5  | 6
Robert de Schepper | Foil | N/A  | 3–2  | 3 Q | 1–4  | 5  | Did not advance
Maurice Dewee | Épée | 4–3  | 2 Q | 6–5  | 3 Q | 3–8  | 10  | Did not advance
Charles Delporte | Épée | 6–2  | 1 Q | 5–5  | 6 Q | 4–7  | 5 Q | 3–8  | 10
Eugène Dufrane | Foil | N/A  | 3–3  | 4  | Did not advance
Robert Feyerick | Sabre | N/A  | 3–3  | 2 Q | 3–3  | 5  | Did not advance
Ernest Gevers | Épée | 4–5  | 4 Q | 6–5  | 3 Q | 7–4  | 1 Q | 6–5  | 4
Félix Goblet | Épée | 8–1  | 1 Q | 5–3  | 5 Q | 6–5  | 2 Q | 3–8  | 10
Sabre | N/A  | 4–3  | 3 Q | 0–6  | 7  | Did not advance
Robert Hennet | Sabre | N/A  | 5–3  | 2 Q | 3–3  | 4 Q | 5–6  | 7
Albert Pape | Foil | N/A  | 3–5  | 6  | Did not advance
Alexandre Simonson | Sabre | N/A  | 1–6  | 7  | Did not advance
Léon Tom | Épée | 2–5  | 7  | Did not advance
Sabre | N/A  | 6–1  | 1 Q | 4–2  | 2 Q | 5–6  | 6
Jean Verbrugge | Foil | N/A  | 5–1  | 2 Q | 1–4  | 5  | Did not advance
Pierre Calle
Charles Delporte
Harry Bombeeck
Robert Feyerick
Robert Hennet
Alexandre Simonson
Léon Tom  | Team sabre[3] | N/A  | 4–3  | 4
Marcel Berré
Charles Crahay
Modeste Cuypers
Fernand de Montigny
Émile de Schepper
Robert Hennet
Albert Pape
Léon Tom  | Team foil[3] | N/A  | 1–4  | 4  | Did not advance
Paul Anspach
Victor Boin
Joseph de Craecker
Fernand de Montigny
Maurice de Wee
Ernest Gevers
Félix Goblet
Philippe le Hardy
Léon Tom | Team épée | N/A  | 4–1  | 1 Q | 4–1  |

## Field hockey

[edit]

Main article: Field hockey at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Belgium competed in field hockey for the first time. The team took third place in the four-team round robin, defeating France but losing to Great Britain and Denmark.

Team  | Event  | Final

|
|

Result  | Rank
Belgium national field hockey team | Field hockey | 1–2  |

## Football

[edit]

Main article: Football at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Belgium competed in the Olympic football tournament for the second time, winning the gold medal. The Belgians, which had taken bronze in 1900, won the 1920 championship without much difficulty. The squad outscored opponents 8 to 1, including holding a 2–0 lead when Czechoslovakia withdrew from the final in protest in the 40th minute.

Quarterfinals

August 29, 1920

Belgium | 3–1|  Spain

|
|

Coppée 11' 52' 55' | Report | Arrate 62' (pen.)

Olympisch Stadion, Antwerp

Attendance: 18,000

Referee: Johannes Mutters (NED)

Semifinals

August 31, 1920

Belgium | 3–0|  Netherlands

|
|

Larnoe 46'
Van Hege 55'
Bragard 85' | Report |

Olympisch Stadion, Antwerp

Attendance: 22,000

Referee: John Lewis (GBR)

Final

September 2, 1920

Belgium | 2–0|  Czechoslovakia

|
|

Coppée 6' (pen.)
Larnoe 30' | Report |

Olympisch Stadion, Antwerp

Attendance: 35,000

Referee: John Lewis (GBR)

Final rank
Gold

## Gymnastics

[edit]

Main article: Gymnastics at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Forty-eight gymnasts represented Belgium in 1920. It was the host nation's third appearance in the sport. Kempeneers had the best individual performance, finishing fourth. Belgium also sent teams in two of the three team events, winning a silver medal and a bronze.

### Artistic gymnastics

[edit]

Gymnast  | Event  | Final

|
|

Result  | Rank
François Gibens | All-around | 83.08  | 11
Félicien Kempeneers | All-around | 86.25  | 4
Charles Lannie | All-around | 78.95  | 19
François Verboven | All-around | 80.42  | 17
Julianus Wagemans | All-around | 83.58  | 9
Eugenius Auwerkerken
Théophile Bauer
François Claessens
Augustus Cootmans
Frans Gibens
Albert Haepers
Domien Jacob
Félicien Kempeneers
Jules Labéeu
Hubert Lafortune
Auguste Landrieu
Charles Lannie
Constant Loriot
Nicolaas Moerloos
Ferdinand Minnaert
Louis Stoop
Jean Van Guysse
Alphonse Van Mele
François Verboven
Jean Verboven
Julien Verdonck
Joseph Verstraeten
Georges Vivex
Julianus Wagemans | Team | 346.765  |
Paul Arets
Léon Bronckaert
Léopold Clabots
Jean Baptiste Claessens
Léon Darrien
Lucien Dehoux
Ernest Deleu
Emil Duboisson
Ernest Dureuil
Joseph Fiems
Marcel Hansen
Louis Henin
Omer Hoffman
Félix Logiest
Charles Marschaelcke
René Paenhuysen
Arnold Pierret
René Pinchart
Gaspar Pirotte
Augusten Pluys
Léopold Son
Edouard Taeymans
Pierre Thitiar
Henri Verhavert | Team, Swedish system | 1094.000  |

## Ice hockey

[edit]

Main article: Ice hockey at the 1920 Summer Olympics

The host nation competed in the inaugural Olympic ice hockey tournament. The team was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sweden.

Roster

Coach:  Paul Loicq

Pos | Player | GP | G | Birthdate | Age

|
|
|
|
|

F | Maurice Deprez | 1 | 0 | 1886 | ~34
R | Paul Goeminne | 1 | 0 | 1888 | ~32
F | Jean-Maurice Goossens | 1 | 0 | January 16, 1892 | 28
F | Paul Loicq | 1 | 0 | August 11, 1888 | 31
D | Philippe Van Volckxsom | 1 | 0 | May 1, 1889 | 21
D | Gaston Van Volxem | 1 | 0 | 1893 | ~27
G | François Vergult | 1 | 0 | April 21, 1891 | 29
G | François Franck | 0 | – | September 14, 1904 | 15

Gold Medal quarterfinals
23 April 1920
21:30| Sweden | 8 – 0
(5–0, 3–0)|  Belgium| Palais de Glace d'Anvers

|
|
|
|

Game reference

| Seth Howander| Goalies| François Vergult| Referee:
W. A. Hewitt
| Burman| 1 – 0|

|
|

Johansson| 2 – 0|
Burman| 3 – 0|
Lindqvist| 4 – 0|
Burman| 5 – 0|
Johansson| 6 – 0|
Molander| 7 – 0|
Lindqvist| 8 – 0|
12 min| Penalties| 6 min
| |

Final rank
5th (Tied)

## Polo

[edit]

Main article: Polo at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Belgium competed in the Olympic polo tournament for the first time, taking fourth and last place. The Belgians lost to Great Britain in the semifinals and to the United States in the bronze medal match. Alfred Grisar, Maurice Lysen, Clément Van Der Straeten and Gaston Peers de Nieuwburgh took part in the tournament.

Semifinals

Great Britain (GBR)| 8–3|  Belgium (BEL)

|
|

|  |

Bronze medal match

United States (USA)| 11–3|  Belgium (BEL)

|
|

|  |

Final rank
4th

## Rowing

[edit]

Main article: Rowing at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Twenty rowers represented Belgium in 1920. It was the host nation's fourth appearance in the sport. None of the team's five boats were able to advance past the first round in its event.

Ranks given are within the heat.

Rower  | Cox  | Event  | Quarterfinals  | Semifinals  | Final

|
|
|
|
|

Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank
Jacques Haller | N/A  | Single sculls | Unknown  | 3  | Did not advance
Georges Léonet
Ernest Sadzawka | N/A  | Double sculls | N/A  | 7:34.8[4] | 2  | Did not advance
Georges Van Den Bossche
Oscar Van Den Bossche | René Van Damme[5] | Coxed pair | N/A  | 8:25.0  | 2  | Did not advance
Adrien D'Hondt
Robert Demulder
Jean Van Silfhout
Léon Vleurinck | Raphael de Ligne[6] | Coxed four | N/A  | 7:40.0  | 2  | Did not advance
Daniël Clarembaux
Julien Crickx
Gustave De Mulder
Jozef Hermans
Charles Lalemand
Maurice Requillé
René Smet
Félix Taymans | Joseph Crickx[7] | Eight | 6:40.0  | 2  | Did not advance

## Sailing

[edit]

Main article: Sailing at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Fourteen sailors represented Belgium in 1920. It was the host nation's second appearance in the sport. Belgium had the dubious distinction of having the only boat to not win a medal—there was only one event in which more than three boats entered, and the two Belgian boats in that event finished first and fourth. The other two Belgian boats earned a silver and a bronze.

Sailors  | Class  | Race 1  | Race 2  | Race 3  | Total

|
|
|
|
|

Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Result  | Rank  | Score  | Rank
Raymond Bauwens
Louis Depière
Willy Valcke | 6 metre (1907)  | Unknown  | 4
Frédéric Bruynseels
Emile Cornellie
Florimond Cornellie | 6 metre (1907)  | Unknown  |
Léon Huybrechts
John Klotz
Charles van den Bussche | 6 metre (1919)  | Unknown  |
Willy de l'Arbre
Albert Grisar
Georges Hellebuyck
Léopold Standaert
Henri Weewauters | 8 metre (1919)  | Unknown  |

## Skating

[edit]

### Figure skating

[edit]

Main article: Figure skating at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Two figure skaters represented Belgium in 1920. It was the host nation's debut appearance in the sport. The pair finished in sixth place out of eight pairs.[8]

Skater  | Event  | Final

|
|

Result  | Rank
Georgette Herbos
Georges Wagemans | Pairs | 41.5  | 6

## Shooting

[edit]

Main article: Shooting at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Twenty-four shooters represented Belgium in 1920. It was the host nation's third appearance in the sport. J. Haller and G. Sylva also competed, but in which events is unknown.[9] In addition, five unknown Belgian shooters competed.[10] Belgium finished with a lone medal, the silver in the team clay pigeons competition.

Shooter  | Event  | Final

|
|

Result  | Rank
Conrad Adriaenssens  | 300 m free rifle, 3 pos. | Unknown
Louis Andrieu | 50 m small-bore rifle | Unknown
Arthur Balbaert | 300 m free rifle, 3 pos. | Unknown
Albert Bosquet | Trap | 84  | 9
Philippe Cammaerts | 50 m small-bore rifle | Unknown
Émile Dupont | Trap | 84  | 9
Joseph Haesaerts | 300 m free rifle, 3 pos. | Unknown
François Heyens | 300 m free rifle, 3 pos. | Unknown
Joseph Janssens | 300 m military rifle, standing | 54  | 5
Henri Quersin | Trap | 85  | 7
Victor Robert | 50 m small-bore rifle | Unknown
Paul Van Asbroeck | 50 m free pistol | 466  | 7
50 m small-bore rifle | Unknown
300 m free rifle, 3 pos. | Unknown
Norbert Van Molle | 50 m small-bore rifle | Unknown
Conrad Andriaenssens
Arthur Balbaert
François Ceulemans
Joseph Haesaerts
Paul Van Asbroeck  | 600 m team military rifle, prone | 264  | 10
300 & 600 m team military rifle, prone | 469  | 14
Conrad Andriaenssens
Arthur Balbaert
Joseph Haesaerts
François Heyens
Paul Van Asbroeck  | 50 m team free pistol | 2229  | 5
Team free rifle | 3939  | 12
Conrad Andriaenssens
Joseph Janssens
Vincent Libert
Louis Ryskens
Paul Van Asbroeck  | 300 m team military rifle, prone | 264  | 14
300 m team military rifle, standing | 217  | 12
Louis Andrieu
Philippe Cammaerts
Victor Robert
Paul Van Asbroeck
Norbert Van Molle  | 50 m team small-bore rifle | 1785  | 6
Robert Andrieux
Jules Bastin
Philippe Cammaerts
Léon De Coster
Paul Van Asbroeck
Norbert Van Molle  | 30 m team military pistol | 1221  | 7
Albert Bosquet
Joseph Cogels
Émile Dupont
Edouard Fesinger
Henri Quersin
Louis Van Tilt | Team clay pigeons | 503  |

## Tug of war

[edit]

Main article: Tug of war at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Belgium competed in the Olympic tug of war tournament for the first time in 1920, the final appearance of the sport in the Olympics. The Bergvall System was used. Losing their first match to Great Britain eliminated the Belgians from the gold medal tournament, but a win against the United States set them opposite the Netherlands for the silver medal. Belgium lost this match and was relegated to the bronze medal tournament; there, they again faced and again defeated the Americans to take the bronze.

All matches were best-of-three pulls.

Semifinals

Great Britain (GBR)| 2–0|  Belgium (BEL)

|
|

|  |

Silver medal semifinals

Belgium (BEL)| 2–0|  United States (USA)

|
|

|  |

Silver medal match

Belgium (BEL)| 0–2|  Netherlands (NED)

|
|

|  |

Bronze medal match

United States (USA)| 0–2|  Belgium (BEL)

|
|

|  |

Final rank
Bronze

## Weightlifting

[edit]

Main article: Weightlifting at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Seven weightlifters represented Belgium in 1920. It was the host nation's debut appearance in the sport. Three of the Belgians took medals, one of each type, with François de Haes taking the top spot in the featherweight category.

Weightlifter  | Weight class  | Final

|
|

Result  | Rank
François de Haes | 60 kg | 220.0  |
Louis De Haes | 60 kg | 190.0  | 7
Georges de Proft | 75 kg | Did not finish
Marcel Marchand | 75 kg | 205.0  | 7
Georges Rooms | 67.5 kg | 230.0  |
Lionel van den Roye | 82.5 kg | 227.5  | 8
Louis Williquet | 67.5 kg | 240.0  |

## Wrestling

[edit]

Main article: Wrestling at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Twelve wrestlers competed for Belgium in 1920. It was the nation's third appearance in the sport. None of the Belgians won medals, though twice a wrestler was defeated in the bronze medal match. Two of the wrestlers competed in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling.

### Freestyle

[edit]

Wrestler  | Event  | Round of 32  | Round of 16  | Quarterfinals  | Semifinals  | Finals / Bronze match  | Rank

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Pierre Derkinderen | Freestyle middle | Bye  |  Rahmy (EGY) (W)  |  Penttala (FIN) (L)  | Did not advance  | 5
Frits Janssens | Freestyle middle | Bye  |  Angelot (FRA) (W)  |  Leino (FIN) (L)  | Did not advance  | 5
Hyacinthe Roosen | Freestyle light heavy | N/A  |  Gallén (FIN) (L)  | Did not advance  | 9
Henri Snoeck | Freestyle light heavy | N/A  |  van Rensburg (RSA) (L)  | Did not advance  | 9
August Thys | Freestyle light | N/A  | Bye  | Bye  |  Anttila (FIN) (L)  |  Wright (GBR) (L)  | 4

| Opponent nation | Wins | Losses | Percent

|
|
|

Egypt | 1 | 0 | 1.000
Finland | 0 | 4 | .000
France | 1 | 0 | 1.000
Great Britain | 0 | 1 | .000
South Africa | 0 | 1 | .000
Total | 2 | 6 | .250
| Round | Wins | Losses | Percent

|
|
|

Round of 32 | 0 | 0 | –
Round of 16 | 2 | 2 | .500
Quarterfinals | 0 | 2 | .000
Semifinals | 0 | 1 | .000
Final | 0 | 0 | –
Bronze match | 0 | 1 | .000
Total | 2 | 6 | .250

### Greco-Roman

[edit]

Wrestler  | Event  | Round of 32  | Round of 16  | Quarterfinals  | Semifinals  | Finals  | Rank

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Silver quarters  | Silver semis  | Silver match
Bronze quarters  | Bronze semis  | Bronze match
Alexandre Boumans | Greco-Roman feather |  Roels (NED) (W)  |  Vaglio (ITA) (W)  |  Porro (ITA) (W)  |  Friman (FIN) (L)  | Did not advance  | 5
N/A  |  Gallery (USA) (W)  |  Kähkönen (FIN) (L)
Bye  |  Svensson (SWE) (L)  | Did not advance
Oscar Cornelis | Greco-Roman middle |  Perttilä (FIN) (L)  | Did not advance  | Did not advance  | 19
Did not advance
Did not advance
Henri Dierickx | Greco-Roman feather |  Pütsep (EST) (L)  | Did not advance  | Did not advance  | 17
Did not advance
Did not advance
Frits Janssens | Greco-Roman light | Bye  |  Swigart (USA) (W)  |  Väre (FIN) (L)  | Did not advance  | 4
Christiansen (DEN) (W)  |  Tamminen (FIN) (L)  | Did not advance
Bye  |  Frydenlund (NOR) (W)  |  Andersen (NOR) (L)
Albert Savonet | Greco-Roman light | Bye  |  Frisenfeldt (DEN) (L)  | Did not advance  | 12
Did not advance
Did not advance
Henri Snoeck | Greco-Roman light heavy | Bye  |  Kocián (TCH) (W)  |  Sint (NED) (L)  | Did not advance  | 7
N/A  | Did not advance
N/A
Maurice Vanderleenden | Greco-Roman middle | Bye  |  Zanoline (USA) (W)  |  Westergren (SWE) (L)  | Did not advance  | 9
Dechmann (LUX) (W)  |  Perttilä (FIN) (L)  | Did not advance
Did not advance
Eduard van den Bril | Greco-Roman heavy | Bye  |  Nilsson (SWE) (L)  | Did not advance  | 12
Did not advance
N/A
Emile Wahlem | Greco-Roman light heavy | Bye  |  Cardinale (ITA) (W)  |  Rajala (FIN) (W)  |  Sint (NED) (L)  | Did not advance  | 6
N/A  | Did not advance
N/A

| Opponent nation | Wins | Losses | Percent

|
|
|

Czechoslovakia | 1 | 0 | 1.000
Denmark | 1 | 1 | .500
Estonia | 0 | 1 | .000
Finland | 1 | 6 | .143
Italy | 3 | 0 | 1.000
Luxembourg | 1 | 0 | 1.000
Netherlands | 1 | 2 | .333
Norway | 1 | 1 | .500
Sweden | 0 | 3 | .000
United States | 3 | 0 | 1.000
Total | 12 | 14 | .462
| Round | Wins | Losses | Percent

|
|
|

Round of 32 | 1 | 2 | .333
Round of 16 | 5 | 2 | .714
Quarterfinals | 2 | 3 | .400
Semifinals | 0 | 2 | .000
Final | 0 | 0 | –
Silver quarterfinals | 2 | 0 | 1.000
Silver semifinals | 1 | 2 | .333
Silver match | 0 | 1 | .000
Bronze quarterfinals | 0 | 0 | –
Bronze semifinals | 1 | 1 | .500
Bronze match | 0 | 1 | .000
Total | 12 | 14 | .462

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Victor Boin". olympedia.org. OlyMADMen. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
2. ^ "Belgium at the 1920 Antwerp Summer Games". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
3. ^ a b "Belgium Fencing at the 1920 Antwerpen Summer Games". Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Team composition for foil and sabre.
4. ^ La VIIe Olympiade à Anvers, la treizième journée - Aviron, la première journée - II. Course à deux rameurs en couple sans barreur (double scull), La Meuse, 29 August 1920
5. ^ La VIIe Olympiade à Anvers, la quatorzième journée - Aviron, la deuxième journée - III. Course à deux rameurs en pointe, La Meuse, 31 August 1920
6. ^ La VIIe Olympiade à Anvers, la quatorzième journée - Aviron, la deuxième journée - I. Course à quatre rameurs en pointe avec barreur, La Meuse, 31 August 1920
7. ^ La VIIe Olympiade à Anvers, la treizième journée - Aviron, la première journée - II. Course à huit rameurs en pointe avec barreur, La Meuse, 29 August 1920
8. ^ Hines, James R. (2011). Historical Dictionary of Figure Skating. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 35\. ISBN 978-0-8108-6859-5.
9. ^ Sports-Reference
10. ^ De Wael's Complete Olympians

## External links

[edit]

* Belgium Olympic Committee (1957). Olympic Games Antwerp 1920: Official Report (in French).
* Wudarski, Pawel (1999). "Wyniki Igrzysk Olimpijskich" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
* International Olympic Committee results database

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