Cyclist Michel Rousseau was World Amateur Sprint Champion in 1956 and 1957. He also won the gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games beating Italian Guglielmo Pesenti in the final, although just before the final, he was informed that his parents had been involved in a serious car accident. Earlier in the semifinals Rousseau defeated New Zealander Warren Johnston easily in two straight races. After the 1957 season Rousseau turned professional. In 1958 he won the professional world title, and was runner-up in 1959 and 1961 to the redoubtable Antonio Maspes from Italy. Rousseau won the 1956 Grand Prix de Paris for amateurs and was French sprint champion for amateurs in 1956 and for professionals in 1959-62 and 1967.
France