Abdou Sèye

Abdoulaye Sèye’s athletics career began somewhat by chance, as he was passionate about football, playing for the club Foyer France Senegal, but he maintained his fitness by frequent cross-country running. He began athletics seriously in 1954, during his national service in Toulon, and would win French national titles in the 100 m (1959) and 200 m (1956, 1959). His only major international title came in winning the 100 at the 1959 Mediterranean Games. Sèye also broke French records in the 100 m with 10.2 in 1959, which he equalled in 1960; the 200 m, running 20.8 in Belgrade in 1959, and in 1960, recording 20.7 four times, including the Rome final; and the 400 m, recording 46.6 in 1959 and 1960, and 45.88 in 1960. He was world ranked five times by Track & Field News, twice in the 200 (1959-5, 1960-3), once in the 100 (1959-5), and twice in the 400 (1959-7, 1960-9).

Sèye won his 1960 bronze medal running for France, as the IOC did not allow him to represent the Mali Federation, composed at the time of Sudan and Sénégal, which had been founded in April 1959 and gained independence from France in June 1960. The federation quickly broke up, and Sénégal became independent in August 1960, shortly before the Rome Olympics. In 1961, Sèye set up the Olympic Committee of Senegal and became coach of the first Sénégalese athletics team (1961-65), and was later a technical advisor to the Ministry of Sports.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.32 (10.2) (1960); 200 – 20.82 (20.7) (1960); 400 – 45.88 (1960).