Louis Marquis

Louis Marquis made his major international début in race walking for Switzerland at the 1950 European Championships, where he was disqualified in both the 10,000 metres and the 50 kilometers. He then failed to finish the 50 kilometers at the 1954 edition, but in 1958 he was fifth in the 20 kilometers and ninth in the 50 kilometers. In 1960 he won his first national title, in the 50 kilometers, and was selected to represent his country in the 20- and 50-kilometer events at the Rome Olympics, where he placed 17th and 22nd respectively. This was his last major international tournament, but he won additional national titles in the 20 kilometers in 1962, 1963, and 1976, and in the 50 kilometers in 1975. He continued to compete at masters’-level tournaments and, at the time of his death, still held national records in the 5,000-, 10,000-, and 20-kilometer events in age categories from M45 to M70. His older brother Gilbert represented Switzerland in the 50 kilometers event at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and was a non-starter over 20 and 50 kilometers in 1956.

Personal Bests: 20kmW – 1-33:23 (1956); 50kmW – 4-29:43 (1956).