Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...

competed at the 1900 Summer Olympics in

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France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

. It was the first appearance of the European nation. Belgium was represented in France by 78This differs from de Wael's count of 84. De Wael counts three water poloists who are not included on the team roster according to the IOC, two equestrians who competed in only non-Olympic events (a third non-Olympic equestrian also competed in croquet), and two unknown coxswains in rowing where there was only one. athletes, all of them male, who competed in 11 disciplines. They comprised 95 entries in 28 events.

Medalists

Additionally Belgian athletes won bronze medal as a part of football Mixed Team Université libre de Bruxelles.

Results by event

Aquatics

Swimming

A man with the surname Hermand was Belgium's first Olympic swimmer. He competed in the 4000 metre freestyle but did not finish his first round heat.

Water polo

Brussels Swimming and Water Polo Club represented Belgium in this event. ;Roster ;First Round ;Semi-Finals ;Final

Archery

Belgium took three of seven gold medals, three of eight silver medals, and one of five bronze medals in the seven archery events that were Olympic.

and the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

were the only other nations that competed, with France taking the remaining thirteen medals. Many of the French, Dutch, and Belgian competitors are unknown as their names were not recorded. 4 of the 18 Belgian archers are known by name, 14 are not. The 18 archers had 36 entries over all 7 events.

Cycling

Belgium's first cycling appearance was at the second Olympic cycling competition, 1900. One cyclist from Belgium competed in one event, winning no medals. Only his surname is known.

Equestrian

Belgium competed in the inaugural Olympic equestrian events, taking gold medals in 3 of 5 events. The names of 11 Belgian equestrians are unknown.

Fencing

Belgium competed in fencing at the nation's debut. The nation sent five fencers.

Football

Université de Bruxelles represented Belgium in the football competition. The club squad lost its only match, to Club Française, to take third in the three-team competition. ; Summary ; Match 2 ; Roster Université de Bruxelles

Gymnastics

Belgium's inaugural Olympic appearance included competing in the gymnastics portion of the program.

Rowing

Belgium, through the

Royal Club Nautique de Gand (English: ''Royal Rowing Club of Ghent'' / French: ''Royal Club Nautique de Gand'') is a rowing club from the Belgian city of Ghent founded in 1871. The association is located at the Ghent urban Watersportbaan rowing course. It has an extensi ...

, sent coxed pairs and coxed eights boats to the first Olympic rowing competition.

Shooting

Belgium's first Olympic appearance included competing in the shooting events. Belgian shooters competed in the military pistol and military rifle sets of events.

Notes

References

* De Wael, Herman. ''Herman's Full Olympians'': "1900 Olympians from Belgium". Accessed 11 March 2006. Available electronically a

* {{Nations at the 1900 Summer Olympics Nations at the 1900 Summer Olympics

1900 As of March 1 ( O.S. February 17), when the Julian calendar acknowledged a leap day and the Gregorian calendar did not, the Julian calendar fell one day further behind, bringing the difference to 13 days until February 28 ( O.S. February 15), 2 ...

Olympics