In the 1950s, Michel Knuysen formed a successful rowing couple with Bob Baetens. In 1951, the two claimed the European crown in the coxless pairs in Macon, France. They were again the best European couple at the Helsinki Olympics, but had to contend with second place, behind the US duo of Charlie Logg and Tom Price. In 1953 and 1955, Knuysen and Baetens claimed silver at the Europeans, finishing behind the Soviet boat of Igor Buldakov and Viktor Ivanov on both occasions. At the 1956 Europeans, the Belgian pair went home with a bronze medal, but this proved no omen for the Melbourne Games, where they were eliminated in the heats. Following his sports career, Knuysen managed a sail making company.
Belgium