# Belgium at the 1900 Summer Olympics

Belgium competed at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It was the first appearance of the European nation. Belgium was represented in France by 78 athletes, all of them male, who competed in 11 disciplines. They comprised 95 entries in 28 events.

## Medalists

Medals awarded to participants of mixed-NOC teams are represented in italics. These medals are not counted towards the individual NOC medal tally. In the discipline sections below, the medalists' names are bolded.
| Medal | Name | Sport | Event | Date |
| Gold | Emmanuel Foulon | Archery | Sur la Perche à la Herse | July 16 |
| Gold | Hubert Van Innis | Archery | Au Cordon Doré 33 metres | August 14 |
| Gold | Hubert Van Innis | Archery | Au Chapelet 33 metres | August 14 |
| Gold | Aimé Haegeman | Equestrian | Individual jumping | May 29 |
| Gold | Constant van Langhendonck | Equestrian | Long jump | May 31 |
| Gold | Georges Nagelmackers | Equestrian | Mail coach | June 2 |
| Silver | Émile Druart | Archery | Sur la Perche à la Herse | July 16 |
| Silver | Hubert Van Innis | Archery | Au Cordon Doré 50 metres | August 14 |
| Silver | Hubert Van Innis | Archery | Championnat du Monde | August 1 |
| Silver | Georges Van Der Poele | Equestrian | Individual jumping | May 29 |
| Silver | Jules De Bisschop Prosper Bruggeman Oscar Dessomville Oscar De Cock Maurice Hemelsoet Marcel Van Crombrugge Frank Odberg Maurice Verdonck Alfred Van Landeghem | Rowing | Men's eight | August 26 |
| Silver | René Guyot | Shooting | Men's trap | July 17 |
| Silver | Brussels Swimming and Water Polo ClubJean De BackerVictor De BehrHenri CohenFernand FeyaertsOscar GrégoireAlbert MichantGeorges RomerGuillaume SéronVictor SonnemansArthur Upton | Water polo | Men's tournament | August 12 |
| Bronze | Louis Glineur | Archery | Sur la Perche à la Pyramide | July 16 |
| Bronze | Georges Van Der Poele | Equestrian | High jump | June 2 |
| Bronze | Paul Van Asbroeck | Shooting | Men's 300 metre free rifle, three positions | August 5 |
| Bronze | Charles Paumier | Shooting | Men's 300 metre free rifle, standing | August 5 |
| Bronze | Université de BruxellesMarius DelbecqueHendrik van HeuckelumRaul KelecomMarcel LeboutteLucien LondotErnest Moreau de MelenEugène NeefsGustave PelgrimsAlphonse RenierHilaire Spanoghe | Football | Men's tournament | September 23 |
Medals by sport :
| Sport | | | | Total |
| Archery | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| Equestrian | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Rowing | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Shooting | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Water polo | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 6 | 7 | 4 | 17 |

### Multiple medalists

The following competitors won multiple medals at the 1900 Olympic Games.
| Name | Medal | Sport | Event |
| Hubert Van Innis | Gold Gold Silver Silver | Archery | Au Cordon Doré 33 metres Au Chapelet 33 metres Au Cordon Doré 50 metres Championnat du Monde |
| Georges Van Der Poele | Silver Bronze | Equestrian | Individual jumping High jump |

## Competitors

The following is the list of number of competitors in the Games.
| Sport | Men | Women | Total |
| Archery | 4 | 0 | 18 |
| Cycling | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equestrian | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| Fencing | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Football | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| Gymnastics | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Rowing | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| Shooting | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Swimming | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Water polo | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Total | 64 | 0 | 78 |

## Archery

Belgium took three of seven gold medals, three of eight silver medals, and one of five bronze medals in the seven archery events that were Olympic. France and the Netherlands were the only other nations that competed, with France taking the remaining thirteen medals. Many of the French, Dutch, and Belgian competitors are unknown as their names were not recorded. 4 of the 18 Belgian archers are known by name, 14 are not. The 18 archers had 36 entries over all 7 events.
| Athlete | Event | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | Score | Rank |
| Hubert Van Innis | Au Cordon Doré 33 metres | Unknown | |
| Hubert Van Innis | Au Cordon Doré 50 metres | 29 | |
| Hubert Van Innis | Au Chapelet 33 metres | Unknown | |
| Hubert Van Innis | Au Chapelet 50 metres | Unknown | 4 |
| Hubert Van Innis | Championnat du Monde | 16 | |
| Emmanuel Foulon | Sur la Perche à la Herse | Unknown | |
| Émile Druart | Sur la Perche à la Herse | Unknown | |
| Louis Glineur | Sur la Perche à la Pyramide | Unknown | |

## Cycling

Belgium's first cycling appearance was at the second Olympic cycling competition, 1900. One cyclist from Belgium competed in one event, winning no medals. Only his surname is known.

### Sprint

| Athlete | Event | Qualification | Qualification | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | Time | Rank | Opposition Time | Opposition Time | Opposition Time | Rank |
| Vincent | Men's sprint | Unknown | 2 Q | Taillandier (FRA) Thomann (FRA) L | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |

## Equestrian

Belgium competed in the inaugural Olympic equestrian events, taking gold medals in 3 of 5 events. The names of 11 Belgian equestrians are unknown.

### Jumping

| Athlete | Horse | Event | Time | Rank |
| Aimé Haegeman | Benton II | Individual | 2:16.0 | |
| Constant van Langhendonck | Unknown | Individual | Unknown | 4-37 |
| Constant van Langhendonck | Unknown | Individual | Unknown | DNF |
| Georges Kryn | Unknown | Individual | Unknown | 4-37 |
| Georges Van Der Poele | Windsor Squire | Individual | 2:17.6 | |
| Between 3 and 6 other riders | Unknown | Individual | Unknown | 4-37 |

### High jump

| Athlete | Horse | Event | Height | Rank |
| Charles van Langhendonck | Roxanne | High jump | Unknown | 9-19 |
| Constant van Langhendonck | Black Fly | High jump | Unknown | 9-19 |
| Georges Van Der Poele | Ludlow | High jump | 1.70 | |
| Up to 2 other riders | Unknown | High jump | Unknown | 9-19 |

### Long jump

| Athlete | Horse | Event | Distance | Rank |
| Constant van Langhendonck | Extra-Dry | Long jump | 6.10 | |
| van der Meulen | The Wett | Long jump | Unknown | 6 |
| 1 other rider | Unknown | Long jump | Unknown | 7-19 |

### Hacks and hunter combined

| Athlete | Horse | Event | Place |
| Georges Van Der Poele | Unknown | Hacks and hunter combined | 5–51 |

### Four-in-hand (mail coach)

| Athlete | Event | Place |
| Georges Chaudoir | Mail coach | 5–31 |
| Paul Lambert | Mail coach | 5–31 |
| Georges Nagelmackers | Mail coach | |
| Georges Nagelmackers | Mail coach | 5–31 |
| Orban | Mail coach | 5–31 |
| Georges Pauwels | Mail coach | 5–31 |
| Gaston Saint-Paul de Sinçay | Mail coach | 5–31 |
| Étienne van Zuylen van Nyevelt | Mail coach | 5–31 |
| Étienne van Zuylen van Nyevelt | Mail coach | 5–31 |

## Fencing

Belgium competed in fencing at the nation's debut. The nation sent five fencers.
| Athlete | Event | Round 1 | Round 1 | Round 1 | Quarterfinal | Quarterfinal | Quarterfinal | Repechage | Repechage | Repechage | Semifinal | Semifinal | Semifinal | Final | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | MW | ML | Rank | MW | ML | Rank | MW | ML | Rank | MW | ML | Rank | MW | ML | Rank |
| Tony Smet | Men's épée | | | Q | | | 4-6 | — | — | — | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Tony Smet | Men's foil | | | Q | | | Q | Bye | Bye | Bye | 1 | 6 | 8C | | | 14 |
| Fernand Desmedt | Men's masters foil | | | | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Pierre Selderslagh | Men's masters foil | | | Q | | | Q | Bye | Bye | Bye | 3 | 4 | 5C | | | 10 |
| Cyrille Verbrugge | Men's masters foil | | | Q | | | Q | Bye | Bye | Bye | 1 | 6 | =7C | | | 15 |
| Hébrant | Masters sabre | | | Q | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 2Q | 1 | 6 | 8 |

## Football

Université de Bruxelles represented Belgium in the football competition. The club squad lost its only match, to Club Française, to take third in the three-team competition.

### Summary

Key:
* A.E.T – After extra time.
* P – Match decided by penalty-shootout.
| Team | Event | Group Stage | Group Stage | Group Stage |
| Team | Event | Opposition Score | Rank |
| Université de Bruxelles | Men's tournament | Upton Park F.C. L 6–2 | |

### Team roster

| Pos. | Player | 1900 club |
| 4FW | Marius Delbecque | Skill F.C. de Bruxelles |
| 4FW | Hendrik van Heuckelum | Léopold Club de Bruxelles |
| 2DF | Raul Kelecom | RFC Liégeois |
| 1GK | Marcel Leboutte | Spa FC |
| 4FW | Lucien Londot | RFC Liégeois |
| 2DF | Ernest Moreau de Melen | RFC Liégeois |
| 3MF | Eugène Neefs | Sporting Club de Louvain |
| 3MF | Gustave Pelgrims (c) | Léopold Club de Bruxelles |
| 3MF | Alphonse Renier | Racing Club de Bruxelles |
| 4FW | Hilaire Spanoghe | Skill F.C. de Bruxelles |
| 4FW | Eric Thornton | Léopold Club de Bruxelles |
| 3MF | Camille Van Hoorden | Racing Club de Bruxelles |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Upton Park | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 2 |
| 2 | Club Français | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | Université de Bruxelles | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 0 |

### Match 2

Team details :
| Club Français | Université de Bruxelles |

## Gymnastics

Belgium's inaugural Olympic appearance included competing in the gymnastics portion of the program.
| Athlete | Event | Score | Rank |
| Michelet | Men's artistic individual all-around | 192 | 12 |
| De Poorten | Men's artistic individual all-around | 207 | 99 |

## Rowing

Belgium, through the Royal Club Nautique de Gand, sent a coxed pair and an eight to the first Olympic rowing competition.
| Athlete | Event | Heat | Heat | Semifinal | Semifinal | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | Time | Rank | Time | Rank | Time | Rank |
| Royal Club Nautique de Gand Prosper Bruggeman Maurice Hemelsoet unknown cox | Men's coxed pair | 7:00.4 | 3 | — | — | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Royal Club Nautique de Gand Jules De Bisschop Prosper Bruggeman Oscar Dessomville Oscar De Cock Maurice Hemelsoet Marcel Van Crombrugge Frank Odberg Maurice Verdonck Rodolphe Poma | Men's eight | 5:00.2 | 2Q | — | — | 6:13.8 | |

## Shooting

Belgium's first Olympic appearance included competing in the shooting events. Belgian shooters competed in the military pistol and military rifle sets of events.
| Athlete | Event | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | Score | Rank |
| Pierre Eichhorn | Men's 50 metre free pistol | 345 | 17 |
| Charles Lebègue | Men's 50 metre free pistol | 318 | 19 |
| Victor Robert | Men's 50 metre free pistol | 351 | 16 |
| Alban Rooman | Men's 50 metre free pistol | 405 | 13 |
| Émile Thèves | Men's 50 metre free pistol | 404 | 14 |
| Alban Rooman Émile Thèves Victor Robert Pierre Eichhorn Charles Lebègue | Men's 50 metre free pistol, team | 1823 | 4 |
| Paul Van Asbroeck | Men's 300 metre free rifle, standing | 297 | 4 |
| Joseph Baras | Men's 300 metre free rifle, standing | 233 | 30 |
| Jules Bury | Men's 300 metre free rifle, standing | 282 | =7 |
| Edouard Myin | Men's 300 metre free rifle, standing | 265 | 21 |
| Charles Paumier | Men's 300 metre free rifle, standing | 298 | |
| Paul Van Asbroeck | Men's 300 metre free rifle, kneeling | 308 | 4 |
| Joseph Baras | Men's 300 metre free rifle, kneeling | 210 | 30 |
| Jules Bury | Men's 300 metre free rifle, kneeling | 269 | 24 |
| Edouard Myin | Men's 300 metre free rifle, kneeling | 249 | 29 |
| Charles Paumier | Men's 300 metre free rifle, kneeling | 297 | =9 |
| Paul Van Asbroeck | Men's 300 metre free rifle, prone | 312 | =8 |
| Joseph Baras | Men's 300 metre free rifle, prone | 270 | =28 |
| Jules Bury | Men's 300 metre free rifle, prone | 270 | =28 |
| Edouard Myin | Men's 300 metre free rifle, prone | 304 | 13 |
| Charles Paumier | Men's 300 metre free rifle, prone | 302 | 15 |
| Paul Van Asbroeck | Men's 300 metre free rifle, three positions | 917 | |
| Joseph Baras | Men's 300 metre free rifle, three positions | 713 | 30 |
| Jules Bury | Men's 300 metre free rifle, three positions | 821 | 22 |
| Edouard Myin | Men's 300 metre free rifle, three positions | 818 | 23 |
| Charles Paumier | Men's 300 metre free rifle, three positions | 897 | 6 |
| Paul Van Asbroeck Charles Paumier Jules Bury Edouard Myin Joseph Baras | Men's 300 metre free rifle, team | 4166 | 6 |
| René Guyot | Men's trap | 17 | |

## Swimming

A man with the surname Hermand was Belgium's first Olympic swimmer. He competed in the 4000 metre freestyle but did not finish his first round heat.
| Athlete | Event | Heat | Heat | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | Time | Rank | Time | Rank |
| Fernand Feyaerts | 200 m freestyle | DNS | DNS | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Fernand Feyaerts | 1000 m freestyle | DNS | DNS | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Fernand Feyaerts | 4000 m freestyle | DNS | DNS | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Hermand | 4000 m freestyle | DNF | DNF | Did not advance | Did not advance |

## Water polo

Brussels Swimming and Water Polo Club represented Belgium in this event.

### Summary

* FT – After full time.
* P – Match decided by penalty-shootout.
| Team | Event | Quarterfinals | Semifinal | Final | Final |
| Team | Event | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Rank |
| Brussels Water Polo Club | Men's tournament | Pupilles de Neptune de Lille #1 (FRA) W 2–0 | Libellule de Paris (FRA) W 5–1 | Osborne Swimming Club of Manchester (ZZX) L 7–2 | |

### Roster

| Athlete | Event | Rank |
| Jean de Backer Victor de Behr Henri Cohen Fernand Feyaerts Oscar Grégoire Albert Michant Georges Romer Guillaume Séron Victor Sonnemans A. R. Upton | Water polo | |

### First Round

| 11 August 1900 | Brussels Swimming and Water Polo Club | 2–0 | Pupilles de Neptune de Lille #1 | Seine, Paris |

### Semi-Finals

| 12 August 1900 | Brussels Swimming and Water Polo Club | 5–1 | Libellule de Paris | Seine, Paris |

### Final

| 12 August 1900 | Brussels Swimming and Water Polo Club | 2–7 | Osborne Swimming Club of Manchester | Seine, Paris |