Lucien De Muynck

As a 21-year-old, Lucien Demuynck made a fairly inconspicuous Olympic appearance, being eliminated in the heats. Through 1949, Demuynck had been a good junior cyclist, but he found himself to be unable to ride during his military service. As a replacement, he started cross country running, later switching to the track. His best and fastest performance came in 1954, in the final of the 800 m at the European Championships in Bern. In a fast race (1:47.1), Demuynck and four others fought it out for the medals. Lajos Szentgáli claimed the gold, followed by Demuynck, Audun Boysen, Derek Johnson and Demuyncks better known compatriot Roger Moens. Demuynck’s time was a new Belgian record (Moens would break it in 1955) and his performance earned him the “Golden Spike”, the award for best male Belgian athlete of the year.

Personal Best: 800 – 1:47.3 (1954).