Henk Vogels, Sr.

Dutch-born Hendrikus Vogels, known as Henk Vogels, Sr., competed in the Australian pursuit team with Kevin Brislin, Robert Baird, and Vic Browne at the 1964 Olympics. In 1963 he won the Australian 4 km individual pursuit title in a time of 5:21.2 and was named Western Australia’s (WA) Cyclist of the Year. His only other national medal was in 1964 when he won silver as a member of the New South Wales state pursuit team. At the 1964 Olympics the Australian team bettered the Australian record on three of the four rides and placed fourth despite team member Vic Browne being very ill.

Following his cycling career, he remained heavily involved in the sport as a Commissaire, coach, team manager, selector, and promoter, and was a Cycling WA Board Member. In 2007 his service to the sport was recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia. His son, Henk Vogels, Jr., competed in the individual road race at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and tours in Europe. He also became a coach and leading radio/television commentator.