Ernst Gerspach

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameErnst•Gerspach
Used nameErnst•Gerspach
Born24 April 1897
Died16 February 1974
AffiliationsBSC Old Boys, Basel (SUI)
NOC Switzerland

Biography

Active during the 1920s Swiss sportsman Ernst Gerspach was a true all-round track and field athlete who won multiple titles and set several national records. In July 1920 Gerspach broke the Swiss pole vault record with a clearance of 3.42 metres. A month later he competed in the decathlon at the 1920 Antwerpen Olympics, finishing in ninth place and setting a Swiss record in the process. After the Antwerpen Games Gerspach improved the Swiss pole vault record several times, eventually clearing 3.58 metres in mid-1923. The following year he again competed in the decathlon at the Olympics, this time at the 1924 Paris Games, finishing in sixth place and setting another Swiss record. Gerspach’s performance in Paris included finishing joint-second in the 100 metres, joint-fifth in the 110 metres hurdles, and fourth in the pole vault.

Personal Best: Dec – 5765 (1924).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1920 Summer Olympics Athletics SUI Ernst Gerspach
Decathlon, Men (Olympic) 9
1924 Summer Olympics Athletics SUI Ernst Gerspach
Decathlon, Men (Olympic) 6