Félix Debax

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Referee
SexMale
Full nameFélix Lucien Roger•Debax
Used nameFélix•Debax
Born28 September 1864 in Toulouse, Haute-Garonne (FRA)
Died25 August 1914 in Saint-Maurice, Gussainville, Meuse (FRA)
NOC France

Biography

Felix Debax competed in individual foil at the 1900 Paris Olympics, finishing fourth. He had enlisted in 1882, studying at l’École Speciale Militaire de Saint-Cry. After graduation he was quickly promoted, joining the 57e Régiment d’Infanterie as a lieutenant in February 1888. In 1889 he became a captain and also started serving as an instructor at l’École Normale de Gymnastique, serving there through 1901, except for two years in the infantry. He received numerous awards during his early military service, including being named an officer of the Danish Order of the Dannebrog in 1898, an officer of the French Order des Palmes Academiques the same year, a knight of the Swedish Order of the Sword in 1900, an officer of the Turkish Order of Osmanieh in 1900, a knight of the Spanish Order of Isabella the Catholic and a first-class member of the Order of Military Merit in 1901, and in 1908, he was appointed a Chevalier of the French Legion d’Honneur and received the French Medalle Militaire. Debax also wrote several books on teaching gymnastics and bayonet combat.

In June 1908, Debax became chef de bataillon of the 19e Régiment d’Infanterie, but was transferred to the 14e Régiment d’Infanterie in 1909. The regiment was mobilized in August 1914, at which time he was transferred to the command of the 240e Régiment d’Infanterie. Debax was killed while fighting at Saint-Maurice-sous-les-Côteson 25 August 1914, receiving rifle fire from a German infantry command. The Rue Felix Debax in Blagnac near Toulouse was named in his honor.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1900 Summer Olympics Fencing FRA Félix Debax
Foil, Individual, Men (Olympic) 4

Referee

Games Sport (Discipline) / Event NOC / Team Phase Unit Role As
1900 Summer Olympics Fencing FRA Félix Debax
Épée, Individual, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Referee
Foil, Individual, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Referee

Special Notes