IWF120y/53 – 1936: Last glory days for France at the Olympics
During its first decades of life, our International Federation had a strong institutional influence from France and it was without surprise that Jules Rosset presided over the world governing body from 1920 to 1937, and then again from 1946 to 1952. In parallel, French lifters were also shining on the platform, amassing nine Olympic gold medals, precisely between 1920 and 1936 – these are the country’s only Olympic triumphs in the Sport until today. The most successful lifter of this impressive generation was Louis Hostin, Olympic champion in 1932 and 1936, and runner-up in 1928, competing in the 82.5kg. He was also a two-time world medallist (silver in 1937 and bronze in 1938). Finally, he established 10 World Records throughout his career. He is the only lifter in French Olympic history with two gold medals. The remaining champions at the Games were Ernest Cadine (photo – appearing with his teammates of the French team in the 1920s) and Henri Gance (in 1920), Charles Rigoulot and Edmond Decottignies (in 1924), Roger François (1928), René Duverger and Ryamond Suvigny (1932). Besides these ‘golden’ performances, France would get another three silver (1928, 1976, and 2012) and three bronze (1920, 1928, and 1956) throughout its Olympic participation in weightlifting. The last success was a second place in London 2012, with Vencelas Dabaya, initially fifth, but climbing to the podium after subsequent disqualifications due to doping problems. In 2024, when the Games were back in Paris, the French athletes could not replicate the successes of their predecessors 100 years earlier: despite the presence of four athletes, the best lifter was Marie Fegue, fifth in the women’s 71kg.
