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Home > Olympics > Bronze Medalists > Gerard Blitz
Gerard Blitz
The Olympic Games, or Olympics, is an international multi-sport event taking place every four years which comprises of summer and winter games. Though the first ancient games were held in 776 B.C, the modern games started from 1896.The unity of the 5 continents is shown on the Olympic flag by five colorful intertwined rings of red, blue, green, yellow, and black, created by Baron Pierre de Coubertin to represent atleast one color of the participating country’s national flag.
Gerard Blitz was born on August 1, 1901 and died in 1979 in Ganshoren. He was a Belgian Olympic swimmer and waterpolo player during 1920s. Born in Amsterdam, Blitz was the younger brother of Maurice Blitz, who was also a waterpolo player and uncle of Gerard Blitz who founded Club Med in 1950. In 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Blitz won medals in both swimming and water polo. He was third in the 100 m backstroke and was a member of the Belgian team to win Bronze in the water polo tournament. Blitz’ brother, Maurice was also a member of that team.
On 16 September, 1921, Blitz set a new world record for 400 meter backstroke at 5 minute 59 seconds and 2 milliseconds which lasted until 1927. In 1924, Summer Olympics in Paris, the Blitz brothers were still part of the Belgian water polo squad to win another silver medal. In 1990, Blitz was inducted in the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Gerard Blitz, with all his dedication and devotion in his play achieved many goals in his overall athletic career. He had the ability of defeating the opponent easily by just giving some extra hard work and efforts. He never lost hope in himself and always fought hard to achieve his goal. He is considered as one of the best athletes in the Olympics.
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