Polydore Veirman

Polydore Veirman from the Royal Sport Nautique de Gand (KRCG) was successful in the unusual combination of oarsman and sculler. With the eights he was European Champion in 1901, 1907, and 1908 and was a member of the eight winning three Belgian titles and the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley in 1907 and 1909. In 1908, he also won his first Olympic medal, a silver in the eights losing the final by two lengths against the British Leander Club.

In 1908 and 1909 Veirman had a short spell in the coxed fours and won silver in both years at the European Championships.

In 1911 he started his second career in the skiff, winning three Belgian Championships (1911-13). Internationally, he claimed silver at the 1911 and gold at the 1912 European Championships. Shortly thereafter, he also took Olympic silver in Stockholm in 1912. In the final against the British favourite William Kinnear Veirman led by ½-a-length at 500 metres but eventually lost by one length. In 1913, Veirman reached his last final at the European Championships in Gent (Ghent). After two of the four finalists were disqualified, the Belgian capsized in a re-start and lost the silver he thought was safe.

After his active career he became a coach at Union Nautique de Liège. In 1947, he was appointed Knight of the Order of Leopold II for his merits. His profession was listed as clerk. In 1921 he married Marie Tweehuizen.