Joseph Reynders

Joseph “Jef” Reynders’ international swimming career began in 1947, when he set the Belgian national record in the 1,500 metres freestyle at the European Championships in Monaco. The winner of multiple national titles in freestyle and relay events, Reynders was selected for his first Olympic Games in 1948 when he was a member of the Belgian swimming team and competed in the 1,500 metres freestyle event. There, he narrowly missed out on advancing past the first round, finishing a second behind Rolf Kestener of Brazil. Also a member of the national water polo team, Reynders represented Belgium internationally twice before being selected for the 1952 Olympic team, eventually placing sixth. His younger brother Kamiel Reynders also competed at those Games as a member of the 4 × 200 metres freestyle relay team.

Following his swimming career, Reynders later owned an auto body shop on Berendrechtstraat in Antwerpen from 1968, and upon his retirement it was taken over by his two sons. In his later years he also enjoyed painting, and as of 2023, resides in Kapellen.