when the Luxembourger Barthel was disadvantaged of an anthem, in Helsinki in 1952 | EUROtoday
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Syears fanfare. At the Helsinki Olympics in 1952, nobody seen the Luxembourger Joseph “Josy” Barthel, frail-looking and small, who lined up for the middle-distance occasion, the 1,500 meters. Besides, who would discover Luxembourg? The Grand Duchy shouldn’t be precisely a manufacturing facility of champions. In 1900, it was beneath the French banner that Michel Théato received the marathon. Only weightlifter Joseph Alzin received silver in 1920, in Antwerp.
From occasion to occasion, Barthel however manages to be one of many twelve finalists within the 1,500 meters. Here once more, he seems little greater than an unknown with no hope of a medal in opposition to the German Werner Lueg, the British Roger Bannister and even the American Bob McMillen. In the final spherical, the victory of the favourite Lueg appeared assured. That's with out counting Barthel.
Josy is the specialist in end-of-race acceleration and, on this present day, he’ll overtake all his opponents with a surprising dash. There he’s crossing the road, arms raised, a surprisingly serene, nearly relaxed smile on his face, when the followers grimace.
The hymn to tears
“The Luxembourg Flyer” was born and, with it, an Olympic file fell. Barthel improved his time by greater than three seconds. The feat is surprising. Literally. Luxembourg ? A gold medal ? A Grand Duchy? But what is that this nation? When it got here to setting the triumph to music, the orchestra realized that it didn’t even have the rating of the Luxembourg anthem, Ons Heemecht (” Our country “). But the present should go on, with out sighs, we adapt!
While the athlete receives his reward, completely improvised music resonates on the rostrum within the stadium. Despite, dismay or an excessive amount of emotion, Barthel cries on the rostrum. Although he’s disadvantaged of a patriotic soundtrack, his nationwide legend is simply simply starting.
Josy, a chemical engineer by coaching and obsessed with ecology, turned Minister of Luxembourg in 1977 and, till 1984, in command of the Environment, Energy and Transport. To this present day, it stays the one gold medal within the Grand Duchy.
https://www.lepoint.fr/sport/jo-de-paris-2024-quand-le-luxembourgeois-barthel-etait-prive-d-hymne-a-helsinki-en-1952–09-05-2024-2559775_26.php