Originally a sprinter and 400 metre runner, Roger Moens converted to the 800 metres in the early 1950s. He won several major European races in 1954, but failed to make a lasting impression at the European Championships. The following season, he broke the 16-year-old World Record (held by Rudolf Harbig) in an exciting fight with Audun Boysen in front of the Norwegian’s home crowd at Bislett Stadium. Now a favourite for the gold in Melbourne, Moens had to forfeit the Olympics. A few months before the Games, he injured himself while training on a dark tennis court in Athens, and ran into a net pole. He also had to miss the next major international tournament, the 1958 European Championships, because of a dispute with his club which saw him suspended. He was still a gold medal contender in 1960, having lost no races since the Melbourne Games. However, he was upset in the final by an unknown runner from New Zealand, Peter Snell. Moens subsequently became a television reporter and presenter, and interviewed his conqueror Snell after his victories at Tokyo. He then made a career in the Belgian judicial police, rising to the top position of commissioner general.
Personal Bests: 400 – 47.3 (1955); 800 – 1:45.7 (1955).
Belgium