Michel Théato

For a long time, Josy Barthel was considered Luxembourg’s first Olympic Champion, but 52 years before his title, Michel Théato won the Olympic marathon. As he represented a French club, Club Amical et Sportif de Saint-Mandé, it had always been assumed that Théato was French. Athletics historian Alain Bouillé, however, discovered that he was born in Luxembourg. Although Théato moved to Paris and lived there until his death in 1923, there is no record that he ever filed for French citizenship. Théato is often listed as a baker’s delivery boy who knew his way through the streets of Paris and took a short cut to the Olympic gold. No proof of this exists. In fact, annoyed by their poor performances, the Americans Arthur Newton (fifth) and Dick Grant (seventh) contested Théato’s victory. Newton declared at the finish line that he had taken the lead halfway through the race and was not overtaken again.

Frantz Reichel, renowned French sportsman and journalist, who followed the race for “Le Journal des sports” denies this version. He followed the best placed French people, in chronological order Touquet, Champion then Théato, and confirms that Newton never went ahead. Dick Grant waited until 1960 to sue the IOC for compensation following a racing incident linked to the poor organization of the event. He was reportedly hit by a bicycle as he prepared to outrun Théato. Otto Mayer, chancellor of the IOC during the 1960s and direct witness to the 1900 marathon, had no difficulty in dismissing the plaintiff, because this racing incident had never taken place…

For many Anglo-Saxon authors, Théato’s victory remains suspect. In particular, they highlight the possibilities of taking shortcuts. Raymond Pointu completely refutes this version in his work The Olympic Marathons (Athens 1896 - Athens 2004), because of the route and the continuous presence of witnesses along the route. The only element which may be controversial is the presence of “pace makers”, who notably completed the last fifteen kilometers alongside Théato, but also the other competitors.

After his Olympic victory Théato turned professional, but he hardly shone. His original profession gave birth to some legends, Théato declaring himself a carpenter or cabinetmaker at the finish line: “I am a cabinetmaker, which does not prevent me from being a sincere amateur”. Some thought he was a baker, thus explaining his ability to resist the heat, others saw him as a gardener for the Racing Club de France.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-42:44 (1901).