Cyril Musil

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameCyril•Musil
Used nameCyril•Musil
Born23 November 1907 in Studnice, Vysočina (CZE)
Died17 April 1977 in Collingwood, Ontario (CAN)
AffiliationsSokol Nové Město
NOC Czechoslovakia
Nationality Czechia

Biography

Cyril Musil was a Czechoslovak cross-country skier and a resistance fighter during World War II. He was a six-time champion of Czechoslovakia and Poland. Musil began skiing when he was three, with his racing career beginning during his military service. Musil won the silver medal at the 1933 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in the 4 × 10 kilometres relay. He competed in three events at the 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Olympics. Musil was part of the Czechoslovak team that finished in fifth place in the 4 × 10 kilometres relay. He also finished in 9th place in the 50 kilometres and in 14th place in the 18 kilometres.

During World War II Musil and his wife were involved in the anti-Nazi resistance. They used their guesthouse as a hiding place for resistance fighters. In 1948 Musil refused to co-operate with the Czechoslovak State Security (“Státní bezpečnost”). The following year he was arrested and tortured. In December 1949, following a staged trial, Musil was jailed for 20 years on charges of espionage and illegal gun ownership. In 1950 Musil managed to escape prison and, after crossing the border into Austria via France, he emigrated to Canada. Musil lived the rest of his life in Ontario where he ran a boarding house and a ski equipment shop.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal Nationality As
1936 Winter Olympics Cross Country Skiing (Skiing) TCH CZE Cyril Musil
18 kilometres, Men (Olympic) 14
50 kilometres, Men (Olympic) 9
4 × 10 kilometres Relay, Men (Olympic) Czechoslovakia 5

Special Notes