Josy Barthel

Joseph " Josy " Barthel ( born April 24, 1927 in Mamer, Luxembourg, † July 7 1992 in Luxembourg ) was a Luxembourg athlete and Olympic champion.

His first major success as an athlete, he celebrated the gold medal in the 800 - meter race at the World Military Championships 1947 in Berlin. With the next World Military Championships in Brussels, he won the 800 -meter run and the 1,500 -meter run.

In the XIV Olympic Summer Games 1948 in London he came in the 1500 meter run while to the final, but was able to win only the 9th Place. Then he won the World University Championships in 1949 over 1500 meters and 1951 more than 800 meters, 1500 meters.

In the XV. Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952 he started as underdogs, but it should be the absolute highlight of his athletic career. Through a phenomenal final sprint, he won the 1,500 -meter run in 3:45,2 minutes before the Americans Bob McMillen ( silver ) and the German Werner Lueg (bronze). This time back then meant Olympic record.

Barthel also participated in the XVI. Olympic Summer Games 1956 in Melbourne part, but could not achieve a medal. He then ended his athletic career. From 1946 to 1956 he was eleven times in a row Luxembourg champion.

Barthel was the second Luxembourg, who won an Olympic gold medal. In 1962, he became President of the Luxembourg Union Athletics from 1973 to 1977 he was also President of the Luxembourg Olympic Committee. He was also a member of the Luxembourg Government: 1977-1979 Minister of Transport, energy, tourism and the environment, 1979-1984 Minister for the Environment, Transport, Energy, computer science and communication. His honor as the National Stadium in Luxembourg, home to the Luxembourg national football team, renamed the Josy Barthel stadium. Named after him also was in September, 2003 in Mamer newly opened school.