Charles Gondouin competed in both rugby football and tug-of-war at the 1900 Olympics, winning a gold medal in rugby as a scrum-half, and a silver medal in tug-of-war. He represented the Racing Club de France, winning French rugby titles with them in 1900 and 1902. Gondouin was also a talented golfer and tennis player, and was French champion in the high jump in 1900.
Gondouin studied at the Lycée Condorcet, then worked as a sports journalist, and later became an official in both rugby and tennis. He refereed the 1914 French Championship final between Perpignan and Tarbes, and in 1920 became the first Frenchman to officiate an international rugby match. He served in World War I with the 120th RAL at Camp d’Avord. Gondouin was killed on Christmas Eve when he was struck by a car while he was returning from a meeting of the Racing Club de France.