Lester Francel

Lester Francel was a Colombian weightlifter who competed at the 1972 München Olympics. He placed only 10th in flyweight but did manage to set six Olympic records at the early weights. Francel won a silver and bronze medal at the 1971 Pan American Games and won two silver medals at the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games. He finished fourth at the 1973 World Championships and won silver medals at the 1971 South American Championships and the 1973 Bolivarian Games.

Francel graduated from the University of Tolima in 1974 with a degree in agricultural engineering. The weightlifting gym in his home town of Armero was named in his honor. In 1972 he was given the Pijao de Oro medal in recognition of his achievements in sports, and in 2002 the government of Tolima recognized him with the Gloria del Deporte Tolimanse.