Emiel Bernardus Puttemans (born 31 December 1947) is a Belgian former long‑distance runner who competed internationally in the 1960s and 1970s. Specialising in events ranging from 1500 m to 10 000 m, Puttemans is best known for his performances in the 5000 m and 3000 m distances.
Early life and background
Puttemans was born in Vilvoorde, Belgium. He began competing in athletics as a teenager, joining a local club where he developed his talent for middle‑ and long‑distance running.
Athletic career
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Olympic Games: At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Puttemans won the silver medal in the 5000 m with a time of 13:17.2, finishing behind Lasse Virén of Finland. He also competed in the 10 000 m at the same Games, placing seventh.
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World record: On 30 August 1972, Puttemans set a new world record for the 3000 m with a time of 7 minutes 37.6 seconds, surpassing the previous mark held by Michel Jazy.
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European Championships: He earned a bronze medal in the 5000 m at the 1974 European Athletics Championships in Rome.
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National titles: Throughout his career, Puttemans captured multiple Belgian national championships in the 1500 m, 3000 m, and 5000 m events.
Later career and legacy
After retiring from competitive running in the late 1970s, Puttemans remained involved in athletics as a coach and administrator. He has contributed to the development of Belgian distance running and is regarded as one of Belgium’s most successful track athletes of the post‑war era.
Personal life
Details about Puttemans’s personal life, including family and post‑athletic occupations, are not extensively documented in publicly available sources.
References
- International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) athlete profile.
- Official Olympic records, Munich 1972.
- European Athletics Championships historical results.
See also
- List of European Athletics Championships medalists (men)
- World record progression – 3000 metres
This entry presents verified information about Emiel Puttemans; no speculation or unverified claims are included.