Henri Smets

A portrait of Smets

Henri Smets (Wezembeek-Oppem, 1895 - Brussel, 1994) was a Belgian cross country athlete. He was a participant of the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp. When he became the Belgian cross country champion, he was honored by Belgian King Albert I of Belgium.

He had run many races (see below a few of them and the medals)

Titles

Olympic

Participant of the de VII° 1920 Summer Olympics Antwerp

Performances

Champion

Belgian Champion Crosscountry (in the army).

Participations as a young athlete

1916

First place of the first athletic races organised by the "Cercle des Sports de Bruxelles" (July 1916). Victor of the 1200 m Steeplechase on 23 July 1916 organised by R.C.B. (Racing Club de Bruxelles)

1917

In 1917 he participated the Crosscountry "Coupe A.Vignol" (20 km). This was a teamrace organised by the U.A.B. The victory was for his team. Sir A. Vignol was a chief of the Belgian Athletic Liga.

Henri Smets received a medal of his friend "J.C." for his brilliant performance (best time) in the teamrace Crosscountry on 11 March 1917 of the A.B.A.

1919

Second in the crosscountry race "Criterium national" in 1919.

1920

Participation on the 1920 Summer Olympics (see above).

Victor of the "Championship of the Victory" in 1920.

1921

Fifth place in the 1500 meter race organised by the L.B.A. (Belgian Athletic League) in 1921.

1922

Participation at the race of the famous club "Cercle des Sports d'Etterbeek" in 1922. Participation at the famous "Cross du Soir". This time on 22 October 1922. Member of the winning team of the 1600 meter running "Coupe J.P. Voelker" in 1922.

1923

Photo of the crosscountry running club C.S.E. on 7 January 1923. In the photo, he is in second place. Victor of the "Challenge Fluwaert". This was a crosscountry race held by the club R.D.C.B. (or R.C.B.) in 1923.

1927

Victor of the race on 14 August 1927 organised by the Sporting Club Charleroi.

Participations as a veteran

1940

Victor of the "Criterium des Veterans" (6 km cross country) on 28/4/1940. This race was founded in 1917 by the president of the club U.A.B., sir A. Vignol. This was a handicap race; the time is adapted (handicap) according to the runner's age (minimum 32 year).

1941

Victor of the "Criterium National des Veterans" (6 km cross country) on 27 April 1941. Henri's time : 21' 24"" .

1944

Second place of the Crosscountry running "Prix des anciens" (Price of the veterans) of the Cercle Sportif d'Etterbeek in 1944 in Etterbeek. Second place in the 1st "Challenges des Anciens" (veterans) crosscountry on 26 March 1944

1945

Fourth place National Criterium Veterans Cross Country U.A.B. Coupe René Gillion 1945

1946

Op de Club van Etterbeek (Henri Smets with number 12)

Fourth place National Criterium Veterans Cross Country U.A.B. Coupe René Gillion 1946

1947

Eighth place International Criterium Veterans Cross Country organised (32nd) by the U.A.B. Coupe René Gillion 1947

1948

Participant at the Veterancross on 10 January 1948.

1949

Seventh place International Criterium Veterans Cross Country organised by the club U.A.B. Coupe René Gillion 1949

1950

Sixth place in the International Criterium René Gillion Veterans 1950.

AFTER 1950

Henri Smets was still a participant on many Veterans crosses till 1964.

Clubs and Organisators Crosscountry

Sporting Club Charleroi: Athleticclub Charleroi

Cross du Soir: famous cross organised by the journal Le Soir

R.C.B.: Racing Club de Bruxelles: RRCB

L.B.A.: Ligue Belge de l'Athlétisme (founded on 3 March 1912) : LBA

C.S.E.: Cercle des Sports d'Etterbeek: with his new name RRCE

U.S.B.: Union des Sports de Bruxelles

U.A.B.: Union Athlétique de Bruxelles

References

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