Charles Dewachtere

Charles Paul Dewachtere (22 December 1927 – 22 July 2020)[3] was a Belgian long-distance runner. He competed in the marathon at the 1952 Summer Olympics.[4] Dewachtere became twice Belgian champion.

Charles Dewachtere
Personal information
Full nameCharles Paul Dewachtere
NationalityBelgian
Born(1927-12-22)22 December 1927
Ghent, Belgium[1]
Died22 July 2020(2020-07-22) (aged 92)
Ghent, Belgium[2]
Sport
SportLong-distance running
Event(s)Marathon

In 1951 he became Belgian champion in a race over 35 km, between Waregem and Ghent. In 1952, the Belgian championship was held over the official marathon distance as qualification race for the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. Helped by the high pace of Jean Leblond, Dewachtere won the Belgian championship in a very fast time. Only two Englishmen ran a faster marathon at that time. Dewachtere was therefore one of the main favorites for the Games. However, due to a heel bone injury, he finished 18th. Winner Emil Zátopek was only four seconds faster than Dewachtere's time at the Belgian championships.[1]

References
  1. Klooster Peter, Abebe Bikila en 20 andere mooie verhalen uit 20 jaar Runner's World, 15. Het noodlot als tegenstander Charles Dewachtere, uitgave De Arbeiderspers, 2014
  2. Overlijdensbrief, website VAL
  3. Jordens, Michel (24 July 2020). "In Memoriam Olympiër Charles Dewachtere" [In Memoriam Olympian Charles Dewachtere]. atletiek.be (in Dutch). Vlaamse Atletiekliga.
  4. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Charles Dewachtere". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2017. Full name: Charles Paul Dewachtere


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