Career
Flanagan broke the world record in the event prior to the 1904 Olympics, making him one of the favourites for the event along with Desmarteau. To compete in the Olympics, Desmarteau, a police officer in Montréal, had to ask for a leave of absence to go to Saint Louis, but he was denied by his employer. He decided to go anyway, which cost him his job.
In Saint Louis, his first throw was 34 ft 4 in (1046 m), enough for victory over Flanagan, who did not manage better than a 33 ft 4 in (1016 m) throw.
Desmarteau received a hero"s welcome back in Montréal and was rehired as a police officer The following year, he died, possibly of typhoid fever.
A district, a park and a sports arena in Montréal have been named after him. The Étienne Desmarteau Centre was used as a venue for basketball during the 1976 Summer Olympics.
The District d"Étienne Desmarteau is part of the borough of Rosemont–Louisiana Petite-Patrie.