Louis Zutter

Zutter was one of the two Swiss competitors in Athens, and became his country’s first Olympic Champion. He travelled to Greece with the German team, partially to visit his brother Alexis, who was a gymnastics teacher in Greece. His travelling companions proved his foremost competitors: he placed second twice, both times behind a German gymnast, but won the pommelled horse event. The Official Report noted that “Mr. Zutter surpassed all other competitors by his marvellous agility and he very deservedly carried off the first prize.” When coming home, he was honoured by his Neuchâtel club and presented with a ring and a watch.