Charles Dewachtere

Charles Dewachtere began his competitive long-distance running career in 1949. He had several regional successes in 1951 that drew attention to his speed and, one year later, he was the Belgian national marathon champion. This led to his selection for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, where he placed 18th in a field of 66 starters, despite having had one of the fastest times of the year prior to the Games, as he suffered an injury shortly prior to the race. He was unemployed after the Games and, shortly thereafter, got into an altercation that ended with him receiving a 30-month prison sentence, which effectively ended his sporting career.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-23:08 (1952).