Ludwig Veselý

Austrian athlete Ludwig Vesely (sometimes written as Wessely) was the Austrian flagbearer at the 1928 Olympics Opening Ceremony. He then came seventh in the decathlon and was eliminated in the heats of the 110 metres hurdles. In 1932 he developed pleuritis and could not compete at the Los Angeles Games. Vesely won 21 Austrian titles in the 4×400 relay (1930-31), 110 metre hurdles (1924, 1927-1929), 400 metre hurdles (1925), long jump (1927-31), shot put (1928), javelin throw (1930), and decathlon (1924-26, 1928-29, 1931, 1933). In 1930 he won the decathlon at the German Fighting Games.

Vesely was the first world class Austrian decathlete. In 1930 he was the third ranked on the world list, and he ranked in the top 10 in 1925 (6th), 1928 (9th), 1929 (7th) and 1931 (10th). His Austrian decathlon record, set in 1931, stood until 1958.

Vesely started his sports career as a football (soccer) player in 1920 playing with Wiener (Vienna) AC. He later became a sports administrator, international judge and coach. In 1934 he was elected vice-president of the Austrian Track & Field Association.

Personal Bests: 110H – 15.2 (1928/1931); Dec – 7681,81 (1931).