Noël Vandernotte (25 December 1923 – 19 June 2020) was a French competitive rower and Olympic medalist. As a member of the French boat that reached the podium at the 1936 Summer Olympics, he attracted attention both for his sporting success and for his youth. His involvement in rowing at an international level left a notable place in France's Olympic history.
Early life and family
Vandernotte was born in Anglet, in the French Basque region, into a family already active in the sport. He was the son of Fernand Vandernotte and the nephew of Marcel Vandernotte, who were themselves associated with competitive rowing. That family connection helped introduce him to regattas and training at an early age.
Olympic achievement
At the 1936 Games in Berlin Vandernotte was part of the French crew that won the bronze medal in rowing. He fulfilled the responsibilities typical of a coxswain in a competitive boat—steering, coordinating rhythm and issuing race commands—helping to keep the crew united under race pressure. His presence on the medal-winning crew made him the youngest male medalist at the 1936 Olympics and, according to Olympic records, the youngest French athlete ever to win an Olympic medal.
Legacy and later life
Beyond the medal itself, Vandernotte's story is often cited when discussing youth participation in elite sport and the role of coxswains in rowing crews. He lived a long life after his Olympic appearance and passed away in Beaucaire on 19 June 2020 at the age of 96. His career remains a point of historical interest for French rowing enthusiasts and sports historians alike.
Notable facts
- Born: 25 December 1923.
- Olympic medal: bronze with the French rowing boat at the 1936 Games.
- Family: son of Fernand Vandernotte and nephew of Marcel Vandernotte, both connected to rowing.
- Distinction: youngest male medalist at the 1936 Olympics and among the youngest French Olympic medalists on record.
- Died: 19 June 2020, Beaucaire, France.