In 1923 track and field athlete Willy Schärer became the Swiss champion in the 1,500 metres. Schärer was then studying at the technical centre in Burgdorf when he was initially refused permission to represent Switzerland at the 1924 Paris Olympics. Thankfully a government councillor from Bern got involved with the dispute, which allowed Schärer to participate in Paris. The decision paid off with Schärer winning silver in the 1,500 metres, finishing just over a second behind the great Paavo Nurmi. Outside of athletics Schärer was a keen astronomer and set up a small research station in Langenberg. For his work in scientific research he was later awarded with an honorary doctorate from the University of Bern.
Personal Best: 1500 – 3:55.0 (1924).
Switzerland