Benny Schmidt

In addition to being a career military man, Benny Schmidt was also a talented sportsman who competed in both track and field athletics and modern pentathlon. Schmidt began his military training in 1948 with the Royal Life Guards at the Sandholm Camp. He then worked as a teacher at the Army Officers’ School at Frederiksberg Castle, before joining the Jutland Dragoon Regiment, followed by a four-year posting in Oslo. He finished his military career working for the Danish Armed Forces Intelligence Service, where he reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1987 Schmidt was honoured with the Knight’s Cross of the first degree.

Alongside his early military career Schmidt also competed in track and field athletics and was part of the quartet that won the 4 x 100 metres relay title at the Danish championships. One year later he won bronze in both the 100 and 200 metres at the championships, before setting a national record in the 4 x 100 metres relay a few months later.

In 1957 Schmidt represented a military team from the Holstebro Riding Club, becoming the Danish show jump champion for club teams. With his horse riding skills and all-round athletic capability, Schmidt made a natural progression to the modern pentathlon, winning the Danish title for four consecutive years from 1956 to 1959. His performances earned him a place on the Olympic team for the 1960 Roma Games, where he also had the honour of being the flagbearer for Denmark at the Opening Ceremony. Schmidt, however, was disappointed with his performance at the Games, after finishing 47th overall, under-performing in the shooting and swimming elements.