Career
He was a participant of the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp. He had run many races (see below a few of them and the medals) Olympic 1916 First place of the first athletic races organised by the "Cercle des Sports de Bruxelles" (July 1916). Victor of the 1200 m Steeplechase on 23 July 1916 organised by R.C.B. (Racing Club de Bruxelles) 1917 In 1917 he participated the Crosscountry "Coupe A.Vignol" (20 km).
This was a teamrace organised by the U.A.B. The victory was for his team
Sir A. Vignol was a chief of the Belgian Athletic Liga. 1919 Second in the crosscountry race "Criterium national" in 1919.
1920 Participation on the 1920 Summer Olympics (see above). Victor of the "Championship of the Victory" in 1920.
1921 Fifth place in the 1500 meter race organised by the L.B.A. (Belgian Athletic League) in 1921.
1922 Participation at the race of the famous club "Cercle des Sports d"Etterbeek" in 1922. Participation at the famous "Cross du Soir". This time on 22 October 1922.
1923 Photo of the crosscountry running club C.S.E. on 7 January 1923.
In the photo, he is in second place. Victor of the "Challenge Fluwaert".
This was a crosscountry race held by the club R.D.C.B. (or RCB) in 1923. 1927 Victor of the race on 14 August 1927 organised by the Sporting Club Charleroi.
1940 Victor of the "Criterium des Veterans" (6 km cross country) on 28/4/1940.
This race was founded in 1917 by the president of the club U.A.B., sir A. Vignol. This was a handicap race. The time is adapted (handicap) according to the runner"s age (minimum 32 year).
1941 Victor of the "Criterium National des Veterans" (6 km cross country) on 27 April 1941.
Henri"s time: 21" 24"". 1944 Second place of the Crosscountry running "Prix des anciens" (Price of the veterans) of the Cercle Sportif d"Etterbeek in 1944 in Etterbeek.
Second place in the 1st "Challenges des Anciens" (veterans) crosscountry on 26 March 1944 1945 Fourth place National Criterium Veterans Cross Country U.A.B. Coupe René Gillion 1945 1946 Op de Club van Etterbeek (Henri Smets with number 12) Fourth place National Criterium Veterans Cross Country U.A.B. Coupe René Gillion 1946 1947 Eighth place International Criterium Veterans Cross Country organised (32nd) by the U.A.B. Coupe René Gillion 1947 1948 Participant at the Veterancross on 10 January 1948. 1949 Seventh place International Criterium Veterans Cross Country organised by the club U.A.B. Coupe René Gillion 1949 1950 Sixth place in the International Criterium René Gillion Veterans 1950.
AFTER 1950 Henri Smets was still a participant on many Veterans crosses till 1964.
Sporting Club Charleroi: Athleticclub Charleroi Cross du Soir: famous cross organised by the journal Le Soir R.C.B.: Racing Club de Bruxelles: RRCB L.B.A.: Ligue Belge de l"Athlétisme (founded on 3 March 1912): LBA C.S.E.: Cercle des Sports d"Etterbeek: with his new name RRCE United States.B.: Union des Sports de Bruxelles U.A.B.: Union Athlétique de Bruxelles.
