Ivan Joseph Martin Osiier

Dr. Ivan Joseph Martin Osiier (December 16, 1888 – December 23, 1965), was a Danish Olympic medalist, and world champion, fencer who fenced foil, épée, and saber.[1][2][3] He was given the Olympic Diploma of Merit during his career. He is also one of only five athletes who have competed in the Olympics over a span of 40 years.

Ivan Osiier
Personal information
Birth nameIvan Joseph Martin Osiier
NationalityDanish
Born(1888-12-16)December 16, 1888
Copenhagen, Denmark
DiedDecember 23, 1965(1965-12-23) (aged 77)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Occupation(s)Surgeon, Physician
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
SpouseEllen Osiier
Sport
SportFencing
Medal record
Representing  Denmark
Fencing
Silver medal – second place 1912 Summer Olympics Individual épée

Personal life

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Osiier was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and was Jewish.[4][5][6] His parents were Martin Moses Meyer Osiier (1861–1933) and Hanne Henriette Ruben (1865–1922).[7] He was married to Ellen Osiier, who became the first female Olympic fencing champion by winning the women's foil at the 1924 Summer Olympics.[8]

He attended the secondary school Borgerdydskolen (The School of Civic Virtue) in Copenhagen, and later studied medicine.[7] He was a surgeon at Garrison Hospital in Copenhagen in 1915–17.[7][9] He later served as a physician.[7] He was forced to flee Denmark during the Nazi occupation of Denmark due to his being Jewish, and went to Sweden where he worked at Saint Göran Hospital.[7][10]

Fencing career

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Championships

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At fencing competitions in Denmark, Osiier won 25 events between 1913 and 1929. In fencing competitions for Scandinavia, Osilier won 13 events between 1921 and 1933.[4][9]

Olympics

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Osiier first competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics and continued to appear in consecutive Olympics up to the 1948 Summer Olympics.[1][4] During the 1912 Summer Olympics, Osiier finished in second during the épée event.[1][11][2] Osiier withdrew from the 1936 Berlin Olympics in Nazi Germany, as did Danish Jewish wrestler (and 1932 Olympic silver medalist) Abraham Kurland.[1][4][12]

He is one of only four athletes who have competed in the Olympics over a span of 40 years, along with sailors Magnus Konow, Paul Elvstrøm, Durward Knowles and showjumper Ian Millar.[13] Apart from competitions, Osiier worked for the Denmark Fencing Federation as their leader.[10] The Olympic Diploma of Merit was given to Osiier during his career.[1][4]

Hall of Fame

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Osiier was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.[14][4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Taylor, Paul (2004). Jews and the Olympic Games: The Clash Between Sport and Politics – With a Complete Review of Jewish Olympic Medalists. Sussex Academic Press. p. 238. ISBN 9781903900888. Archived from the original on 2014-06-27. Retrieved 2016-11-02 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b Ivan Osiier Bio, Stats, and Results | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com
  3. ^ "Ivan Osiier". Olympedia. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Siegman, Joseph M. (1992). The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame – Joseph M. Siegman. ISBN 9781561710287. Archived from the original on 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  5. ^ Symons, Alan (1997). The Jewish Contribution to the 20th Century. ISBN 9780952375111. Archived from the original on 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  6. ^ Postal, Bernard; Silver, Jesse; Silver, Roy (1965). "Encyclopedia of Jews in Sports – Bernard Postal, Jesse Silver, Roy Silver". Archived from the original on 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Ivan Osiier | Gyldendal – Den Store Danske". Archived from the original on 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  8. ^ "Olympic History for Families". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  9. ^ a b "Osiier, Ivan: Jews In Sports". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
  10. ^ a b "Ivan Osiier". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2007-01-25.
  11. ^ McCrery, Nigel (19 October 2016). The Extinguished Flame: Olympians Killed in The Great War – Nigel McCrery. ISBN 9781473878006. Archived from the original on 2022-03-20. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  12. ^ Schaffer, Kay; Smith, Sidonie (2000). The Olympics at the Millennium: Power, Politics, and the Games. ISBN 9780813528205. Archived from the original on 2022-03-20. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  13. ^ Glenday, Craig, ed. (2012). Guinness World Records 2012. Bantam Books. p. 447. ISBN 9780345534378. Archived from the original on 2022-03-20. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  14. ^ "Ivan Osiier". jewishsports.net. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2007-01-25.
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