Fons Brijdenbach

Fons Brijdenbach was the one of Europe’s top quarter-milers in the 1970s. His international breakthrough came in 1974, when he first bettered the indoor World Record to 45.9, before winning the European indoor title in San Sebastián. Brijdenbach would regain the title in 1977. He also excelled outdoors, reaching the Olympic final in both 1976 and 1980. In Montréal, he narrowly missed the bronze medal, finishing 0.05 seconds outside the podium while running from the unfavourable lane 8. Brijdenbach’s most cherished win came in 1977, when he won his event at the first Ivo Van Damme Memorial, held in honour of his friend who was killed in an accident the previous year. Forced to quit track and field due to an Achilles’ tendon injury, Brijdenbach pursued a successful career with a pharmaceutical company. His Belgian outdoor record stood until 2003, and he was still holder of the indoor record when he passed away of bladder cancer in 2009.

Personal Best: 400 – 45.04 (1976).