The athletics career of New Caledonia-born Robert Chef d’Hôtel began during World War II, when he joined CS Gargan. After the conflict he switched to Stade Français and was selected for the French national team, of which he would be a member through 1949. During that time, he made his international début at the 1946 European Championships, where he took gold in the 4x400 metres relay with Yves Cros, Jacques Lunis, and the non-Olympian Bernard Santona and finished sixth in the 800 metres. Two years later he travelled to the 1948 London Olympics, where he and Lunis, joined by Jean Kérébel and Francis Schewetta, took silver in the 4x400 metres relay behind the United States; he also placed 7th in the 800 metres. He switched clubs to La Voulte Sports that same year and ended his career with RS Lyon in 1952.
Personal Bests: 400 – 48.7 (1947); 800 – 1:51.0 (1947).
France