Michel Bernard (runner) facts for kids
Michel Bernard in 1963
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Quick facts for kids Personal information |
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| Born | 31 December 1931 Sepmeries, France |
| Died | 14 February 2019 (aged 87) |
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Middle- and long-distance running |
| Club | AS Anzin |
Michel Bernard (born December 31, 1931 – died February 14, 2019) was a famous French runner. He was great at middle and long-distance races. Michel competed in two Olympic Games, in 1960 and 1964. He finished seventh in all his races there. He also won nine national championships in France during his career. Later in his life, he even became the president of the French athletics federation.
Contents
Michel Bernard's Life Story
Early Life and Family
Michel Bernard was born on December 31, 1931. His father, Pierre Bernard, was a blacksmith. His mother owned a hardware shop. Sadly, his father passed away during World War II. Michel's mother raised him and his younger sister by herself.
When he was sixteen, Michel started working in a factory. The next year, he discovered his love for running. He quickly became a talented young athlete.
Becoming a Champion Runner
In 1949 and 1950, Michel became the junior champion of France. This means he was the best young runner in the country. He had a short break from running during his military service. But by 1954, he was back in top shape.
In 1955, Michel won his first national title as an adult. He was chosen for the French national team. However, he was not selected for the 1956 Olympic Games. Michel often competed against another strong French runner, Michel Jazy. Jazy had better training conditions. Michel Bernard sometimes had to take unpaid time off work to prepare for big races.
Family Life
In 1960, Michel met Chantal Churn. She was also a track athlete. They got married on November 27, 1961. They had three children together. Their son, Pierre-Michel, was born in 1963. Their daughters, Sandrine and Cathy, were born in 1964 and 1965.
After Running
After he stopped competing, Michel Bernard stayed involved in sports. He worked with the national athletics federation. He was even its president from 1985 to 1987. Michel also became interested in local politics. In 2001, he started a group called Anzin pour tous. This group worked to help the community in Anzin.
Best Running Times
Michel Bernard achieved some impressive personal bests in his running career:
- 1500 meters: 3 minutes, 38.7 seconds (set in 1963)
- 5000 meters: 13 minutes, 40.0 seconds (set in 1971)
