Emiel Puttemans

Who is Emiel Puttemans?

Emiel Adrien "Miel" Puttemans is a retired middle- and long-distance runner, who set world records for 3000 metres in 1972, for 2 miles in 1971, and for 5000 metres in 1972. He won two European indoor titles in the 3000 m, in 1973 and 1974, and finished second in 1978.

At the 1972 Summer Olympics, Puttemans won a silver medal in the 10,000 metres and finished in fifth place in the 5000 metres. He also competed in these events at the 1968, 1976 and 1980 Games, but with less success.

In 1982, he won the first edition of the Rome Marathon.