Joseph "Josy" Barthel was a Luxembourgish athlete and politician.
11 Facts About Josy Barthel
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Josy Barthel was the surprise winner of the Men's 1500 metres at the 1952 Summer Olympics, and the only athlete representing Luxembourg to have won a gold medal at the Olympics.
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Besides athletics, Barthel led successful careers in both chemistry and politics.
4.
At the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, Josy Barthel finished ninth at the 1500 m final.
5.
The absolute high point of Josy Barthel's career was the 1952 Summer Olympics, where he surprised the crowd and himself by winning the 1500 m with a very strong finish.
6.
Josy Barthel participated at the 1956 Summer Olympics, after which he retired from running.
7.
Josy Barthel was Luxembourg champion in 800 m and 1500 m from 1946 to 1956.
8.
In 1962 Josy Barthel became the president of the Luxembourg Athletics Federation, then from 1973 to 1977 he was the president of the Luxembourgish Olympic and Sporting Committee.
9.
Josy Barthel died in Luxembourg City after a severe illness.
10.
In 2006, Josy Barthel was accused of doping by sports journalist Erik Eggers in the German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel.
11.
Wegener strongly denied saying Josy Barthel had any connection with doping.