Eugène Henry Gravelotte

A young medical student, Eugène Henry Gravelotte became the first French Olympic champion by winning the 1896 foil fencing event. He was awarded with a silver plate by King Georgios – the item is currently on display in the French Sports Museum. He represented the Salle Carrichon in Paris.

Gravelotte later became a wealthy industrialist, starting a furniture company. In World War I he was noted for his heroism when he stayed on the field treating the wounded until all were cared for, despite grave personal danger. Gravelotte was also known as a top mountaineer.

His life was not all happy as in September 1921, during a hunting trip, Gravelotte accidentally shot and killed his young son, René, when his gun went off after it slipped from his hands and the butt of the weapon hit the floor with such force that it discharged a bullet, striking René on the right side of his face.

Despite his exploits as the first French Olympic Champion, Gravelotte is not well known. In fact, his exact burial place is not known and is disputed, although it is felt to be in the Ergué-Armel Cemetery, a small village attached to the town on Quimper.