Wilfredo Peláez

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameWilfredo Andrés•Peláez Esmite
Used nameWilfredo•Peláez
Nick/petnamesPlomo
Born27 October 1930 in San José de Mayo, San José (URU)
Died22 May 2019 in Montevideo, Montevideo (URU)
NOC Uruguay
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Wilfredo Peláez was a member of the first Uruguay squad to win an Olympic basketball medal at Helsinki in 1952. They won another bronze four years later but, going into the 2020 Games, they are the only two medals Uruguay has won. However, victory was bitter-sweet for Peláez. He played in four matches at the 1952 Games, scoring two points, in the 70-56 win over Hungary, in a group match. However, his fourth appearance, against France, was to be his last in the Olympics .

The match, played on 28 July 1952, was regarded as one of the most violent in basketball history. Uruguay were down to just three men for the final minute. The scores were level when the American referee Vincent Farrell called a foul against the South Americans. Their players were incensed and a violent fight broke out, and Farrell was seriously injured, and carried off the court unconscious. The police were called, and it was established that two of the biggest perpetrators of the violence were Peláez and Carlos Roselló. The two men were banned for the remainder of the tournament, and all future Olympics.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1952 Summer Olympics Basketball (Basketball) URU Wilfredo Peláez
Basketball, Men (Olympic) Uruguay 3 Bronze