José Ribas

Born in Brazil, track and field athlete José Ribas went on to represent Argentina in long-distance running races. Ribas had his first success in 1926 when he won silver in the 10,000 metres and bronze in the cross-country race at the South American Championships in Athletics in Montevideo. He was then selected to run in both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics but did not start in either race. Despite this setback he then became the South American champion in the 10,000 metres at the 1929 championships. The 1931 championships were held in Buenos Aires with Ribas winning gold in the 5,000 metres and silver in the 10,000 metres. He was once again selected in Argentina’s delegation for the Olympics, with him running in the 10,000 metres and the marathon at the 1932 Los Angeles Games, finishing 11th in the former. In 1937 Ribas won silver in the marathon at the Pan-American Exposition at Dallas, which was an early precursor to the Pan American Games.

Personal Bests: 10000 – 31:18.8 (1931); Mar – unknown.