Étienne Gailly (; 26 November 1922, Beringen – 3 November 1971,

Genval Rixensart (; ) is a municipality of Wallonia located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. On January 1, 2018, Rixensart had a total population of 22,401. The total area is 17.54 km2 which gives a population density of 1,277 inhabitant ...

) was a Belgian soldier and Olympic athlete who competed mainly in the Marathon.

Career

Étienne Gailly was a Belgian who served as a paratrooper during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. Towards the end of the War, as he participated in the liberation of his home country in late 1944, Gailly was profoundly moved by the devastation to his home. He vowed that he would win an Olympic gold medal or drop trying. He was a club runner, wearing the colors of London's Belgrave Harriers. After the war he continued running. His results after the war were moderately good but not threatening to the world leaders. In 1948, he was not rated as a serious contender for the Olympic marathon, held in London. In his first full marathon run, in very hot conditions Gailly took the race out hard. Inexperienced at this distance, and underestimating the dehydrating effect of the severe and unusual heat and humidity, he opened up a lead of over half a minute at the course midpoint. On two occasions he beat back challenges, first from Korean Choi and then from Argentinian Cabrera. It seemed he might win, although by this point his lead was dwindling and his pace was slowing.Étienne Gailly
, ''Belgrave Harriers''. Retrieved 5 January 2019. However, nearing the stadium and the finish, he suddenly ran out of gas. As he faded, Gailly was reeled in by

Delfo Cabrera Delfo Cabrera Gómez (April 2, 1919 – August 2, 1981) was an Argentine athlete, winner of the marathon race at the 1948 Summer Olympics in one of the most dramatic finishes in athletics history. Biography Born in Armstrong, Santa Fe Pr ...

(ARG) and Tom Richards (GBR). Entering the stadium in the lead but stumbling with exhaustion, the crowd roaring encouragement, he was passed by Cabrera during the final lap. He fell and was then passed by Richards. Despite falling again, he dragged himself half-standing over the line. He finished third to a standing ovation. Cabrera finished in 2:34:51.6, Richards in 2:35.07.6, and Gailly in 2:35.33.6. Gailly was unable to attend the victory ceremony because his efforts put him in hospital. Gailly contested the 1950 European Championship marathon, but his subsequent career was cut short by an injury sustained during service in the

Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...

. During the Battle of Haktang-ni, Gailly stepped on a trip-flare sustaining a minor wound.A. Crahay, Bérets Bruns en Corée 1950-1953 (Vécu Par Des Belges) p. 126

Other

Both Etienne and his brother Pierre served during the

as part of the

Belgian United Nations Command The Volunteer Corps for Korea (; ) was a Belgium–Luxembourg military force sent to assist South Korea during the Korean War. A battalion-sized unit, it arrived in Korea in 1951 and remained after the cease-fire until 1955. Over the course of it ...

. Pierre Gailly was killed in action, Etienne seriously wounded.

References

External links

Color film, 1948 London Olympic Marathon
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Gailly, Etienne 1922 births 1971 deaths Belgian male long-distance runners Belgian male marathon runners Belgian military personnel of World War II Belgian military personnel of the Korean War Athletes (track and field) at the 1948 Summer Olympics Olympic athletes for Belgium Olympic bronze medalists for Belgium Sportspeople from Beringen, Belgium Medalists at the 1948 Summer Olympics Olympic bronze medalists in athletics (track and field) Belgian Army personnel Paratroopers 20th-century Belgian sportsmen