Henri Arnaud

Henri Arnaud was a French cross-country and middle-distance runner. He was French champion over 1,500 metres in 1911 and 1912 and came second over 800 m in 1913. Between 1912 and 1919, Arnaud represented France four times in international meets. He ran his first records in 1911, improving the national best over 1,500 twice, eventually improving it to 4:04.4. In 1912 he set a new French record for 1,000 m, in 1917 for 2,000 m and finally in 1919 in the 800. He was entered for five events at the 1912 Olympic Games, but only took part in the 1,500 metres, where he reached the final, setting the pace for more than half of the race, but only finishing eighth. In 1920, he was entered for the 800 m, but did not compete. At the Inter-Allied Games in 1919, Arnaud again set the pace in the final of the 1,500, eventually placing second behind non-Olympian Clyde J. Stout, former track & field team captain of the University of Chicago.

Arnaud joined the Army in 1912. In August 1914, he was mobilised for World War I and served in various infantry regiments. In 1916, he was wounded twice, in April during a chemical attack at Fort de Vaux and in July during an air raid near Avocourt. After his recovery, he became a sports instructor at the Saint-Cyr training centre. In August 1917, he was transferred to the 1st Aviation Group and suffered a third injury when his plane crashed, subsequently suffering from headaches and dizziness. He was demobilised in 1919 and spent the rest of his life in Paris.

Personal Best: 1500 – 4:02.2 (1912).