Emile De Beukelaer

Emile De Beukelaer ( born May 27, 1867 in Antwerp, † January 23, 1922 ) was a Belgian racing cyclist, cycling officer, co-founder and first president of the International Cycling Union.

Emile De Beukelaer was a son of good family; his father had founded the liqueur "Elixir d' Anvers ". In the 1880s, he was one of the best cyclists of Belgium, at that time still on the unicycle. After becoming a two-time Belgian champion, he retired with 22 years back from active cycling. The father wanted to go into politics, and Emile De Beukelaer had to deal with his brother to the company.

However, De Beukelaer remained connected as the cycling federation official. He was Chairman of the Sports Commission of the Belgian Cycling Federation and provided as such effectively for the Unification of competition rules. He was involved in the construction of the Zurenborg - velodrome in Antwerp, on the twice - 1905 and 1920 - took place track world championships.

When the UCI was founded in 1900 in Paris, he was elected its first president. He remained until his death in this office.

De Beukelaer was otherwise interested in sports: He worked as a racing driver, was involved in equestrian sports (at the time of his death he had six race horses ) as well as in sport aviation. The First World War interrupted his courage because he saw destroyed his life's work. He died at 55 years of influenza.